Robert Joseph Creighton

Bob Creighton, a titan in law enforcement, retired from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as the Special Agent in Charge of the Miami Field Division in 1996. He was responsible for 15 field offices throughout the state of Florida, and the Caribbean. Prior to that, he was the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division. During his career at ATF, Creighton held many positions at headquarters and in the field. Creighton contributed significantly to ATF’s overall mission to include crafting the omnibus firearms legislation known as the Brady Law and the development and implementation of ATF’s National Response Team (NRT), which was the first in the nation to address major arson and explosives investigations on a federal level. He coordinated many high-profile investigations to include the Dupont Plaza Hotel tragedy, and the New York Abortion Clinic bombings.

Upon retiring from the ATF, Creighton became the Director of International Security for Sony Music Entertainment and served as the primary security advisor to the executive staff. His role included corporate security, executive protection, crisis management and employee safety. He traveled extensively to analyze and mitigate threats at Sony Music offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide.

In 2006, Creighton was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the US Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Board. He was tasked with recommending recipients to receive the highest honor for United States public safety officers, to the U.S. Attorney General and the President.

In 2020, Creighton was also appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the designated representative of Fraternal Order of Police to the Federal Salary Council.

Creighton was a lifelong member of many professional organizations to include the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI) for which he served on their advisory board and was awarded the Roger Goad Award. Creighton was also an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the International Police Officers Association and International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Creighton held a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut and attended graduate school at the University of California – Berkeley.

Creighton was held in great esteem by his friends, colleagues and mentors:

Said former ATF director Steve Higgins:

“During my career at ATF I had the privilege of working with a number of outstanding individuals, and Bob Creighton was certainly at the top of my personal list. Bob had the respect not only of his fellow co-workers, but also of the many other federal and state agencies he worked closely with during his rapid ascent through the ranks. He earned that respect by setting challenging but fair expectations, clearly communicating those expectations to those working for him, and being quick to recognize and reward those who met them. Equally importantly he was an innovator and always quick to volunteer to develop and pioneer new and important initiatives using our firearms and explosives laws to the benefit and safety of the general public. He was a great friend and will be sorely missed.”

Said Tommy Mottola Former Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Entertainment:

“I’ve known Bob Creighton for over 30 years- first, as a nationally respected ATF Agent and executive, then as the best corporate security manager Sony Music ever had, and through it all, as one of the smartest, toughest and most dedicated friends a man could have. “ I’m a better man for knowing him.”

Creighton is survived by his wife Sandy, daughters Stacey Kelly (Neil) and Leslie Sedille (Keith), and three grandchildren Alexis J Kelly (Davis), Julianne Kelly (Scott) and Tyson Rangel.