"48 Hours: NCIS" sneak peek: The Sting | Forensic Files

during my 26 year career with NCIS. I specialized in undercover operations. That was my big concern that you were
going to run to the cops last night and then tell them we're going to get whacked today.
It was fascinating. It gets you out of the office. Commence fire. You have to think on your
feet. I like doing it. I kind of developed a particular personality when I was undercover. I like to play a tough guy.
I am sort of a tough guy, but I like to play a tough guy. When you're undercover, the tattoos
are very helpful because most people don't associate heavily tattooed people with law enforcement.
This investigation revolved around the December 1983 murder of a US Navy member by the name of Sunny Graten.
My dad, Sunny Grten, was the greatest dad in the world. He really was. Eyes on the deck. Let's move it out.
Sunny Grten, a US Navy member, was murdered outside his house in Belfast, Maine.
Belfast, Maine. You know, things don't happen in Belfast, Maine, but they do. And it can happen
[Music] anywhere. I was a trooper with the state police back in 1983. I got called here 8:45 in the
evening. It was just a warm December evening. Back then, there was a wood pile. There was no garage there. And
there was a wood pile there. There was somebody hiding by the wood pile that was piled in the driveway. And
for some reason, they shot my dad. He got out of his vehicle here and didn't even make it to his home and was
shot in the walkway. Just the way the whole thing unfolded, it shocked this area.
and Mr. Grten was executed. It was like totally unreal, like this is not happening.
I think I had to use every tool in the investigator's toolbox to solve [Music] this. It was clear that they laid in
weight whoever shot Sunonny. He had been paid before coming home and he had over
$900 with him. That money wasn't taken. So, this wasn't a robbery. His case went unsolved for 17
years. We had to develop some direct evidence against those that we believe could be involved. I learned about Dave
Trudale's undercover work and realized that he was pretty good at it. He's worked with ex-cons. He knows what
they think. He knows what they act. He can talk like them. Hey, I've been around some really bad people in my
career. All right, brother. Undercover operations can be very dangerous. You want my help in this, right? Mhm.
Best case scenario, you blow your line. Did you know tonight it was going to happen? I had no idea. Worst case
scenario, you get killed. The NCIS mission is global. We're on aircraft carriers. We're in foreign
ports. We watch after each other. We take care of each other. NCIS deal with every type of crime. Cyber fraud,
murder, counter intelligence, counterterrorism. Every crime is a tragedy. Involve
sisters, brothers, husbands. I feel it very personally. We live in dangerous times. Are we ever going to give up?
NCIS, the cases they can't forget.

A tattooed NCIS agent with a black belt goes undercover to find the killer of a Navy petty officer -- can he get what he needs without getting caught? Watch Tuesday, June 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

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--- "48 Hours" investigates the most intriguing crime and justice cases that touch on all areas of the human experience including greed and passion. For 27 seasons, "48 Hours" has developed a rich history of original reporting and impact journalism that has helped exonerate wrongly convicted people, caused cold cases to be reopened and solved, and along the way changed lives. Check local listings for "48 Hours" broadcast times.

Brief Summary

NCIS agent discusses the 1983 murder of Sunny Graten and the challenges of undercover investigations.

Key points

The Murder of Sunny Graten. A US Navy member was murdered outside his home, shocking the community.
Undercover Operations. The challenges and dangers of undercover work are highlighted through personal experiences.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I kind of developed a particular personality when I was undercover.

0:39WatchJun 9, 2017

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