The DEA Purple Heart Award

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 prestigious award reflects DEA’s recognition of the inherent dangers thousands of men and women face every day while enforcing the drug laws of the United States. Recipients receive a heart-shaped medal with a DEA Special Agent badge embossed on a purple background hanging from a red, white, and blue ribbon.

Those who meet the following criteria are entitled to receive the DEA Purple Heart Award:

  • Individuals seriously injured or killed due to hostile or criminal action during official duties

  • Injuries must require medical treatment or cause death

  • Eligible recipients include active, retired, or deceased employees of the DEA and its predecessor agencies, including the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, or the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control
Purple Heart

Abdul Samad Alim

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown

Purple Heart

James Alleva

Special Agent
Date unknown

George D. Althouse

George D. Althouse

Special Agent
May 28, 1992

Anthony L. Anglada

Anthony L. Anglada

Special Agent
Date unknown

Stephen C. Arnold

Stephen C. Arnold

Task Force Officer
May 23, 2021

James T. Aversa

Joseph T. Aversa

Criminal Investigator
March 5, 1990

Purple Heart

Robert J. Baggs

Special Agent
April 17, 1984

John "Jay" Balchunas

John "Jay" Balchunas

Task Force Officer
November 5, 2004

Anker M. Bangs

Anker M. Bangs

Special Agent, U.S. Department of Treasury
Date unknown

Stafford E. Beckett

Stafford E. Beckett

Federal Prohibition Agent, U.S. Department of Treasury
March 21, 1921

Emir Benitez

Emir Benitez

Special Agent
August 9, 1973

Purple Heart

Malim Jan Besmellah

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown