Carlos A. Canino was an outstanding defensive player during the early years of the Westfield football program. He was a three-time all-conference selection at defensive back and a standout specialty teams performer.

Canino owned 14 school records at the time of his graduation in 1988, and still holds eight school records for punt returns, including average yards per return in a season (11.4) and career (9.6), most returns (69) and yards in a career (659), most career touchdowns (3), and longest return (84 yards). He is the former New England record holder for most punt return yards (364) in a season.

A legitimate game changer, Canino also returned 32 kickoffs for 512 yards during his three years at Westfield. The two-time team captain totaled 10 career interceptions, 130 tackles, four fumble recoveries and 24 pass breakups. Canino was the consummate team player, offering to play both ways because of a rash of injuries during his senior year. In a game vs. UMass Lowell, he played in the offensive backfield and rushed for 90 yards.

Canino transferred to Westfield from Central Connecticut State University, where he was a freshman starter at wide receiver. He graduated from Watertown (Mass.) High School in 1983, starring in football and track and field, and from Bridgton (Maine) Academy in 1984.

Canino retired as the Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division on January 31, 2020, after 30 years of service as an ATF Special Agent.

Mr. Canino was responsible for leading the men and women of the Los Angeles Field Division in enforcing federal laws and regulations related to firearms, explosives, and arson.

A seasoned law enforcement professional, Mr. Canino began his ATF career as a Special Agent in 1990, in Yakima, Washington. Rising through the ranks at ATF, Mr. Canino has served in several leadership positions including Deputy Assistant Director Field Operations (West) Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles and Miami Field Divisions, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division, ATF Mexico Country Attaché and Supervisory Special Agent in St. Louis, Missouri. He also served as a street agent in Los Angeles, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Mr. Canino is a member of several professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Mr. Canino is a two-time recipient of the International Narcotics Officer Association Medal of Valor. He is a recipient of the United States Attorney General Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement, the ATF Foreign Service Medal and a two-time recipient of the ATF Distinguished Service Medal.

Canino earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College, Westfield Massachusetts in 1988. He was inducted into the Westfield State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009,and the School of Criminal Justice’s Hall of Fame in 2017.  He was also named Westfield State’s Distinguished Alumnus of the year in 2014. (Updated April, 2020)