ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The U.S. Secret Service released a statement remembering Jimmy Carter, the nation’s 39th president.

As a former president, Carter was entitled to lifetime protection by the agency. The Secret Service protected Carter for 48 years, which the agency called “the longest standing protectee in the agency’s history.”

U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge William McCool released the following statement:

It was an honor and a privilege to serve President Carter and the Secret Service joins the nation in mourning his passing. For just over 48 years, our agency stood watch over the late president, who was the longest standing protectee in the agency’s history. In my previous position, I was responsible for the advanced security planning for several of President Carter’s peacekeeping missions to the Middle East. Serving the 39th president in this capacity remains among the highlights of my career.

The Secret Service will serve the former president one final time Saturday when agents carry Carter’s remains to a hearse at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. That will kick off Carter’s official state funeral.

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