Riding with Reagan

John R. Barletta served his country as a member of the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division before joining the Secret Service in 1974 as a special agent. He was transferred to the Presidential Protective Division at the White House in 1978, during the Carter administration. After President Ronald Reagan took office, Barletta was placed in charge of the equestrian team because of his love of horses and his mastery of riding. In 1987 he was assigned to the Western Protective Division, in charge of the ranch detail. When the Reagans left the White House, he was transferred to the Reagan Protective Division in Los Angeles as the assistant special agent in charge (ASIC). He retired from the Secret Service in 1997 and continued to see the Reagans regularly. Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.