Ever since the high-profile Karen Read murder trial gripped the nation, one name has consistently popped up in search bars with a specific, lingering question: did Brian Higgins get suspended? It's a fair thing to wonder. When a federal agent is linked to a case involving the death of a fellow officer, and then admits on the stand to destroying his phone before a preservation order, people naturally assume there are professional consequences.
Honestly, the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no" because there are two very different men named Brian Higgins who have been in the news lately. One is a former United States Congressman from Buffalo, and the other is a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
✨ Don't miss: President of the Soviet Union: Why It Only Ever Meant One Person
If you’re looking for dirt on a suspension, you're almost certainly thinking of the ATF agent.
The ATF Agent and the Karen Read Trial
Brian Higgins, the federal agent, became a household name due to his involvement in the investigation into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. During his testimony, things got pretty awkward. We’re talking 56 pages of "flirty" text messages with Karen Read being read aloud in open court.
But the real kicker—the thing that makes people ask about a suspension—was the phone. Higgins admitted that he threw his phone into a dumpster at a military base and got a new number just one day before he was served with a court order to preserve his data.
Was there a formal suspension?
Technically, as of early 2026, there has been no public, official confirmation from the ATF that Brian Higgins was suspended from his duties. In the world of federal law enforcement, these things usually happen behind closed doors.
Usually, when a federal agent is under internal investigation, they are placed on "administrative leave" or "desk duty." This means they keep their paycheck but lose their badge and gun while the higher-ups figure out if they broke the rules.
- Fact: Higgins was still employed by the ATF during his 2024 and 2025 testimonies.
- The Reality: The defense in the Karen Read retrial has repeatedly pointed to his actions as suspicious, but the Department of Justice is notoriously tight-lipped about personnel matters.
- The "Bench" Theory: Many legal analysts, including those following the case on platforms like NewsNation, have speculated that he was "benched" or moved to a non-enforcement role, but that isn't the same as a disciplinary suspension.
The Confusion with Congressman Brian Higgins
Then there is the other Brian Higgins. This one represented New York’s 26th District for nearly twenty years. If you heard "Higgins is leaving," you might have thought he was forced out or suspended.
🔗 Read more: Why Money Falling From the Sky is Actually a Legal Nightmare
That didn't happen.
The Congressman didn't get suspended; he resigned. In February 2024, he walked away from Washington D.C. on his own terms. He was frustrated with the dysfunction in Congress—which, let's be real, is pretty relatable—and took a job as the President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. He tradeed political bickering for Broadway shows. Not a bad deal.
Why the Suspension Rumors Persist
So why does everyone keep asking did Brian Higgins get suspended?
It’s mostly because of Michael Proctor. Proctor was the lead investigator in the O'Keefe case, and he was very publicly suspended without pay after his unprofessional texts about Karen Read came to light. Because Higgins and Proctor are often mentioned in the same breath, people tend to lump them together.
✨ Don't miss: The Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting: What Really Happened on the Las Vegas Strip
If Proctor got the boot, surely the guy who tossed his phone in a dumpster did too, right?
Well, the ATF and the Massachusetts State Police are two different beasts. The ATF is a federal agency with a much more insulated disciplinary process. While Proctor’s suspension was a public spectacle, any action against Higgins would likely remain an internal HR file unless he was hit with federal charges.
What the evidence shows
In the 2025 retrial of Karen Read, the defense brought up new surveillance footage. It showed Higgins at the Canton Police Department at 1:30 a.m. on the night of O'Keefe's death, moving a "mysterious bag" between cars.
Despite these bombshells, Higgins hasn't been charged with a crime. Without a criminal conviction or a public statement from the ATF, his employment status remains in that grey area of "active but under a massive cloud of scrutiny."
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep tabs on whether some form of justice or professional accountability ever catches up with the players in this case, here is what to look for:
- Check the Federal Registry: If an agent is officially terminated or resigns under pressure, it sometimes surfaces in federal personnel disclosures, though rarely in real-time.
- Monitor the Retrial Verdicts: The outcome of the Karen Read case will dictate whether the Department of Justice feels pressured to take more visible action against Higgins.
- Distinguish your "Higgins": Always verify if the news report is talking about "Special Agent Brian Higgins" or "Former Rep. Brian Higgins." The former is the one in the legal hot seat; the latter is busy running a theater.
- Watch Internal Affairs: Keep an eye on reports regarding ATF Internal Affairs investigations. While they don't always name names, a sudden "retirement" often signals that a suspension or termination was imminent.
Basically, if you’re looking for a smoking gun that says he’s officially off the force, you won't find it yet. He’s stuck in the limbo of a long-running legal drama that seems to have no end in sight.