The 2017 Bishop Airport Terror Attack: Chief Chris Miller Tells the Inside Story

In this episode of Radio Free Flint, retired Public Safety Director Chris Miller recounts one of the most shocking events in Flint’s recent history — the 2017 terrorist attack inside Bishop International Airport.

Miller describes the moment a Tunisian national stabbed an airport police officer and how he and an airport maintenance worker subdued the attacker, ultimately saving the officer’s life. The attacker was later convicted of multiple federal terrorism charges and is serving a life sentence.

Miller also reflects on how 9/11 permanently transformed airport security, including at Bishop Airport, where he led the security detail on September 11, 2001.

Across his nearly 40-year law enforcement career, Miller served with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, Mt. Morris Township Police Department, and Bishop Airport Public Safety. He retired in 2021 after receiving the City of Flint Lifetime Achievement Award and a key to the city.

Beyond law enforcement, Miller shares personal stories of growing up in a General Motors family, playing music around Flint, collecting Chevrolet Corvettes, and his experiences in the Flint Community Schools and Mott Community College.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Bishop International Airport
 🔗 https://www.bishopairport.org/

Profile on Chief Chris Miller – My City Magazine
🔗 https://www.mycitymag.com/a-lifetime-of-service-chief-christopher-miller/

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Chapters

• 1:42 Intro and Chief Miller's Background
• 1:42 Chief Miller Tells the Story of a Terrorist Attack at Bishop International Airport, Flint, Michigan
• 5:55 Terrorist is Arrested and Interrogated
• 13:17 Chief Miller's Path to Leading the Airport Public Safety Department
• 14:56 9/11 2001 Terrorist Attacks, Action Taken in Flint to Respond to NYC Terrorism and Changes in Policies and Airport Security and Management
• 18:25 Growing up in Flint, Michigan
• 21:00 A Short-Lived Musical Career. Chris describes his life as a musician and his band
• 24:46 The decision to pursue a career in law enforcement, getting hired by the Genesee County Sheriff's Department and the Bishop International Airport Authority
• 28:24 Chris talks about Corvettes and his Collection of Flint, Michigan made cars.
• 35:13 Police-Community Relations in Flint, Michigan. Police Misconduct, Doing Policing the Right Way!
• 36:31 Chris Miller describes Flint, Michigan and what it means to be a Flintstone.
• 36:31 Closing: A Tribute to Flint Police Officer Levester Croslin, Miller's mentor. Final Goodbye to Chris Miller and Best Wishes on a Long and Happy Retirement