The Hispanic Advisory Committee to former Administrator Thomas A. Constantine the establishment of an award to honor the “thousands of men and women sworn to enforce the drug laws of the United States…. who deserve the full benefit of our recognition of the inherent dangers of our profession”. As a result, the DEA Purple Heart Award was established on January 5, 1996 to honor those individuals who have been seriously wounded or killed while performing duties in an official capacity. The DEA Special Agent badge is embossed on a purple background and placed on a heart-shaped pendant which hangs from a red, white, and blue ribbon.