DEA Purple Heart Award



		G. Douglas Althouse April 9, 1964 to May 28, 1992
	Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent G. Douglas Althouse was killed on May 28, 1992, during an attempted car theft in Shelby County, Alabama. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent Althouse graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in May 1988, with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Special Agent Althouse worked as a police officer for the Williamson County Sheriff's Department in Franklin, Tennessee until February 1990. He was named "Rookie of the Year" by the Sheriff's Department in 1988. Following graduation from DEA's Basic Agent Class 73 in 1990, Special Agent Althouse was assigned to the Nashville Resident Office and in November 1990, was transferred to the Birmingham Resident Office. Special Agent Althouse was an aggressive investigator and an effective leader during his eighteen months in Birmingham. He was designated a team leader of Birmingham's new Provisional DEA State and Local Task Force and was training State and local police in Federal law enforcement procedures.
		Emir Benitez June 26, 1945 to August 9, 1973
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Emir Benitez died August 9, 1973, at Broward County General Hospital from a gunshot wound he received during an undercover cocaine investigation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death. Prior to joining DEA, Benitez had been an army paratrooper in Korea; worked as an operations crash fireman at a Key West Naval Air Station and, beginning in 1969, screened foreign mail for illegal drugs at the Bureau of Customs in Miami. He was so successful at finding marijuana that he received three awards for superior performance. In 1971, he was promoted to a Customs Patrol Officer and in 1973 was detailed to the Office for Drug Abuse Law Enforcement (ODALE). When DEA was created on July 1, 1973, Special Agent Benitez was assigned to the DEA Miami Task Force. In recognition of having performed the duties of an ODALE Special Agent, he was converted to a DEA Special Agent with the Miami Regional Office. He was survived by his wife, Debora L. and a daughter, Michelle Lynn.
		Enrique S. Camarena July 26, 1947 to March 5, 1985
	Special Agent Enrique S. Camarena, of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Guadalajara, Mexico, Resident Office, was kidnapped and tortured by Mexican drug traffickers on February 7, 1985. It is believed that Special Agent Camerena's death actually occurred on February 9. His body was discovered on March 5, 1985. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death. SA Camarena joined DEA in June 1974 as a Special Agent with the Calexico, California District Office. He was assigned to the Fresno District Office in September 1977, and transferred to the Guadalajara Resident Office in July 1981. During his 11 years with DEA, he received two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Award and, posthumously, the Administrator's Award of Honor, the highest award granted by DEA. Prior to joining DEA, SA Camarena served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked in Calexico as a fireman and then as a police investigator, and was a narcotics investigator for the Imperial County Sheriff Coroner. Special Agent Camarena was survived by his wife, Geneva and three children, Enrique, Daniel and Erik. Each October, thousands of schools, communities and state and local drug abuse prevention organizations distribute red ribbons to honor Special Agent Camarena's memory. The millions of Americans who wear these ribbons demonstrate visibly their commitment to a drug-free life. DEA's Miami Division hosts a golf tournament each year in memory of Special Agent Camarena. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the DEA Special Agents Survivors Benefit Fund.
		Thomas J. Devine November 5, 1941 to September 25, 1982
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Thomas J. Devine, a Group Supervisor at the Newark Field Division, died on September 25, 1982, in Passaic, New Jersey of complications from gunshot wounds he received on October 12, 1972, during an undercover investigation in New York City. He was 40 years of age at the time of his death. Prior to joining DEA, SA Devine served with the Marine Corps Military Police, and then worked in the New York City area as a Security Officer for diamond merchants and as an investigator for major law firms and corporations. In 1967, Devine joined the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) as a Treasury Agent and became a Special Agent in 1968, when FBN merged with the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD). Special Agent Devine was promoted to Group Supervisor at the BNDD New York Regional Office in April 1972. Confined to a wheelchair by his injury, he continued to work for the next 10 years despite several illnesses and operations. In October 1974, he was promoted to Group Supervisor for Intelligence/Tactical Support at the New York Regional Office. He transferred to the Newark Office in October 1978, and remained on active duty until the day he died. He was survived by his wife, Jean and two sons, Thomas Jr. and Michael. Special Agent Devine was part of a law enforcement family. His father, William Devine and his uncle Thomas Devine were both detectives in the New York City Police Department.
		Richard E. Fass December 18, 1956 to June 30, 1994
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Richard E. Fass was fatally shot on June 30, 1994, during an undercover methamphetamine investigation in Glendale, Arizona. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death. Prior to joining DEA in May 1987, Special Agent Fass, a native of Tucson, earned a bachelor's degree in Public Administration with a major in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Arizona. He was a probation officer with the Pima County Juvenile Court and then served as a Revenue Officer with the Internal Revenue Service for two years. At the time of his death, Special Agent Fass was assigned to the Phoenix Field Division and also served on temporary assignments in South America and the Caribbean. Earlier, on the day Special Agent Fass was killed, colleagues in the Phoenix Field Division honored him with a farewell luncheon, to say good-bye and wish him well on his next assignment, at the Monterrey, Mexico Resident Office. At the luncheon, Special Agent Fass was presented with a plaque inscribed with the words of Theodore Roosevelt, words that described the hero Fass would become: "...The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;...who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..." Special Agent Fass was eulogized as a "brave, caring man...willing to give his life for the peace of others...He wanted to do his best for his church, his family and his community." Fass was survived by his wife, Theresa, and four children, Raymond, Melissa, Lilia, and Angela; his parents, George and Rose Fass; and two brothers, George and William Fass.
		Everett E. Hatcher October 9, 1942 to February 28, 1989
	Special Agent Everett E. Hatcher of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) New York Field Division, was shot and killed on February 28, 1989, during an undercover investigation in New York City on Staten Island. He was 46 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent Hatcher became a DEA Special Agent in January 1977 at the New York Regional Office. During his twelve years with DEA, he worked in a variety of investigative assignments throughout the New York Field Division for which he received Special Achievement Awards in 1982 and 1983. He also served as a firearms instructor and a recruiting officer. In 1987, he received a third Special Achievement Award for his efforts with DEA's agent recruiting program. Prior to joining DEA, Hatcher spent six years in Germany as an Army Deputy Provost Marshal and physical education teacher at a U.S. military dependents high school. He returned to New York in 1975 to teach in New York City schools. He was working for the New York District Attorney as an investigator when he was accepted as a Special Agent with DEA. Special Agent Hatcher was an experienced teacher who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Hampton Institute in Virginia in 1968, a Master of Education degree from Boston College with high honors in 1974, and had completed advanced graduate studies at Boston College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Special Agent Hatcher was survived by his wife and two children.
		Richard Heath, Jr. September 30, 1936 to April 1, 1973
	Special Agent in Charge Richard Heath, Jr., of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), died on April 1, 1973 in Quito, Ecuador, from complications of a gunshot wound he received during an undercover operation in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles on February 22, 1973. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death. Heath began his drug enforcement career in 1966 with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) in Houston, Texas. In 1968, Special Agent Heath transferred to San Diego and in 1972, when FBN became a part of BNDD, he was assigned to Ecuador. Most of Heath's career was spent working undercover drug operations. Special Agent Heath was survived by his wife, Virginia; a son, Richard III; a daughter Suzanne; and his brother, DEA Special Agent in Charge Edward A. Heath, Retired.
		George M. Montoya December 14, 1953 to February 5, 1988
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent George M. Montoya of the Los Angeles Field Office, was killed on February 5, 1988, when he was shot during an undercover operation in Los Angeles, California. He was 34 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent Paul S. Seema was shot during the same incident and died the following day. In 1976, Special Agent Montoya received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach. He joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service in January 1979 and worked as a Border Patrol Agent in Campo, California, until August 1983 when he became a Criminal Investigator in Los Angeles. He became a Special Agent with DEA in September 1987 and was assigned to the Los Angeles Field Division. In 1988, Special Agent Montoya was posthumously awarded the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Valor. He was survived by his parents, John and Margie Montoya. Each year proceeds from the Paul Seema-George Montoya Golf Tournament are donated to an education fund for Special Agent Seema's children and a scholarship fund in the name of George Montoya at California State University.
		Paul S. Seema February 7, 1936 to February 6, 1988
	Special Agent Paul S. Seema of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division Office, died on February 6, 1988, of gunshot wounds he received the day before during an undercover operation in Los Angeles, California. He was 51 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent George M. Montoya was killed on February 5, in the same undercover operation. Special Agent Seema, a quiet, gentle man, was a native of Thailand. He joined DEA as a Special Agent in May 1974, serving thirteen months in Washington, D.C., and then thirteen months with the New York Field Division. During July 1976, he transferred to Thailand where he spent four years at the Songkhla Resident Office and then seven years at the Bangkok Country Office. He was reassigned to the Los Angeles Field Division Office in July 1987. Prior to joining DEA, Seema had worked for United States military and intelligence agencies in Southwest Asia. His wife, Joy, was a former DEA secretary in the Bangkok Country Office. In 1988 Special Agent Seema was posthumously awarded the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Valor. Special Agent Seema was survived by his wife, Joy; two sons Jayson and Santi; and a brother Whitney Seema. Each year proceeds from the Paul Seema-George Montoya Golf Tournament are donated to an education fund for Special Agent Seema's children and a scholarship fund in the name of George Montoya at California State University, Long Beach. In 1994, Mrs. Seema was presented with a check for $6,000 for the children's education.
		Raymond J. Stastny May 19, 1956 to January 26, 1987
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Raymond J. Stastny of the Atlanta Field Division, died on January 26, 1987, from gunshot wounds he received six days earlier, working an undercover operation in Atlanta. He was 30 years of age at the time of his death. Stastny was a graduate of the State University of New York where he majored in criminal justice. Special Agent Stastny joined DEA in July 1980 as a Diversion Investigator at the New York District Office. He became a Special Agent in November 1983 and transferred to the Atlanta Field Division. In September 1986, he earned a Sustained Superior Performance Award. He was posthumously awarded the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Honor. He was survived by his wife, Valerie.
		Frank Tummillo January 3, 1947 to October 12, 1972
	Special Agent Frank Tummillo, of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), was killed during an undercover operation in New York City on October 12, 1972. He was 25 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent Tummillo graduated from St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania, in 1968. He joined the New York Regional Office of BNDD in 1968. During his four years with BNDD, he earned a reputation as a natural undercover agent in investigations involving major organized crime figures. He was also admired for his ability to organize and present case details in court. Three days after Special Agent Tummillo's death, President Richard M. Nixon acknowledged him in his weekly radio address, stating, "I met Frank Tummillo last February... at the White House. He was a fine young man-alert, dedicated, selfless." Special Agent Tummillo's supervisor, Thomas J. Devine, was permanently paralyzed in the same shooting and died from his injuries in 1982. Both agents were given BNDD's highest honor, the Henry L. Manfredi Award, for their sacrifice and dedication to duty. Special Agent Tummillo was to be married on November 12, 1972. He was survived by his parents, Samuel and Clara Tummillo; two sisters, Mary Ann Tummillo and Concetta Fletcher; and his fiancee, Clara Starita. In a letter to then Director John E. Ingersoll, Samuel Tummillo wrote, "Please believe me Mr. Ingersoll when I say that you lead a fine, dedicated group of men; and they were most comforting to my wife and me in the past few weeks. We are very proud that Frank was one of them."
		James T. Williams April 18, 1899 to October 16, 1924
	Narcotic Agent James Thomas Williams, known as "Jimmy", of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Prohibition Service, Department of Treasury, was shot and fatally wounded on October 16, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois. In a struggle with a suspect, the service revolver of Agent Williams' partner, Narcotic Agent George Howard, discharged striking Agent Williams in the head. This was reported to be Agent Williams first assignment as a Narcotic Agent. He was 25 years of age at the time of his death. Agent Williams was given a temporary appointment as a Narcotic Agent in September 1924, was appointed on October 6, 1924, but did not take the oath of office until October 13, 1924, three days before his death. Prior to his appointment in Chicago, he had assisted narcotic agents for seven months in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was noted for his enthusiasm which included using his own money and automobile to further investigations. Agent Williams was described by Will Gray Beach, U.S. Narcotic Agent in Charge, Chicago Division, as "a splendid young man, as clean as a hound's tooth, capable, thorough and worth while (sic)". Agent Williams, originally from Indianapolis, attended Ben Davis High School. He was survived by his parents, Lee H. and Kate Williams, who ran a grocery store in Sterling Heights, Indiana, just West of Indianapolis; two brothers, Glenn and Bennett; and two sisters, Elizabeth and Mary.
		Wallie Howard Jr. April 23, 1959 to October 30, 1990
	Police Investigator Wallie Howard Jr., of the Syracuse, New York Police Department, was killed on October 30, 1990, while serving on the Central New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. Officer Howard was shot during an undercover operation when drug traffickers from Brooklyn, New York, attempted to rob him of $42,000 he had for the purchase of two kilograms of cocaine. He was 31 years of age at the time of his death. Investigator Howard was a nine-year veteran and was the receipient of three bureau commendations as a result of several undercover drug investigations. In honor of Howard's outstanding work in drug investigations, a "WALLIE HOWARD MEDAL" was created and is awarded annually at the Syracuse Police Medal Awards ceremony. Investigator Howard was survived by his wife, Cynthia Boggs; his son, Wallie III; his daughter, Cynthia; and his mother, Delores Howard.
		Leslie S. Grosso June 2, 1941 to May 21, 1974
	Investigator Leslie S. Grosso of the New York State Police, was shot on May 20, 1974, during an undercover operation in New York City. He was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Joint Task Force. Investigator Grosso died of his wound on May 21, 1974. He was 32 years of age at the time of his death. Investigator Grosso, a twelve-year veteran of the New York State Police, had received numerous letters of commendation and awards, including the Journal-News Award, the Rockland County Police Honor Award, and, posthumously, the General Douglas MacArthur Award. He was survived by his parents, Doris and Edward J. Grosso; and two brothers, Gerard and Edward Grosso.
		Joseph T. Aversa November 6, 1958 to March 5, 1990
	Criminal Investigator Joseph T. Aversa of the New York State Police, was shot to death on March 5, 1990, while serving on the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force. He was 31 years of age at the time of his death. Investigator Aversa was conducting surveillance of undercover negotiations during a cocaine investigation, when the drug dealers fired at the undercover officer. Investigator Aversa led other task force members to the scene and was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with the drug traffickers. Two other task force members were injured in this incident. Investigator Aversa joined the New York State Police in March 1984. During his tenure, he received several letters of commendation and posthumously, the New York State Police Award of Valor. Investigator Aversa was survived by his wife, Eileen Aversa; his parents Vincent, Sr. and Doris Aversa; and a brother, Vincent E. Aversa Jr.
		Carrol June Fields December 25, 1946 to April 19, 1995
	Carrol June Fields, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office Assistant, was killed on April 19, 1995, when a car bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mrs. Fields spent her entire 29 years of Federal service in the Oklahoma City offices of DEA and its predecessor agency the Bureau of Narcotics, Department of Treasury. She was 48 years of age at the time of her death. Mrs. Fields joined the Bureau of Narcotics on August 30, 1965, after graduating from Shawnee High School, Shawnee, Oklahoma, on May 27, 1965. During her long and distinguished career she received numerous performance awards. In 1994, Mrs. Fields received the Administrator's Award for Distinguished Service. She is survived by her husband, Ronald L. Fields and a son, Ronald W. Fields.
		Kenneth G. McCullough January 29, 1959 to April 19, 1995
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Kenneth G. McCullough was killed on April 19, 1995, when a car bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Special Agent McCullough had 13 years of Federal Service and had been assigned to the Oklahoma City Resident Office since 1990. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent McCullough received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University in 1980, and received a master's degree in Public Administration from Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri, in 1986. Special Agent McCullough also served in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Captain. His civilian government service began with the Defense Investigative Service in St. Louis, Missouri, in November 1987. Special Agent McCullough joined DEA on February 4, 1990, and after completing basic agent training was assigned to the Dallas Division's Oklahoma City Resident Office. He is survived by his wife, Sharon K. McCullough; a daughter, Jessica; and a son, Patrick.
		William Ramos July 8, 1956 to December 31, 1986
	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent William Ramos of the McAllen District Office, was shot and killed on December 31, 1986, by a drug trafficking suspect while trying to make an arrest during an undercover investigation at Las Milpas, Texas, near the Mexican border. He was 30 years of age at the time of his death. Special Agent Ramos was a Border Patrol Agent before joining DEA as a Special Agent in 1985. He earned a law degree from the University of Arizona and served as an assistant prosecutor in Mohave, Arizona. Special Agent Ramos received the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Valor posthumously in 1988. Special Agent Ramos was survived by his wife, Thelma; and daughters Teresa, and Zarina.