TSA agent finds lost diamond at JFK

A TSA agent at JFK found a diamond that fell out of an engagement ring. Photo courtesy of TSA

By Rachel Vick

An eagle-eyed member of the John F. Kennedy Airport staff spotted a diamond that had fallen out of a passenger’s engagement ring five hours earlier, the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday.

TSA Officer John Killian spotted the gem, which belonged to a honeymooning couple on their way to Guam, on the floor between the x-ray machine and metal detector at the Terminal 7 security checkpoint.

“I spotted the sparkle and thought to myself, ‘No way that could really be it.’ I walked over and picked it up,” Killian said.

The bride first noticed it was missing from the setting of her ring when she and her husband stopped for coffee after going through security and panic ensued. They reported it missing, and though staff was helpful “everyone present helped look for the diamond to no avail,” Amir Khan Durrani wrote in an email thanking the TSA.

“My wife was crying hysterically as we did not know what happened, nor did we know how to approach the situation,” Durrani said.

When the couple landed, they were met with the news that the team believed they had found the diamond and were later able to match the stone to a picture the owners shared.

TSA held onto the diamond until the couple returned from their trip, and made sure to confirm it was the match to the jewelry.

“Our trip went from a chaotic moment to one at peace,” Durrani said. “I want to mention deep down in my heart, that this moment put us in relief.”

“Thank you so much to all the staff present and especially to officer John Killian,” he added “I might not ever meet you, but you had an impact on us at that moment and I will never forget it. I wish you all the best for your efforts and honesty.”