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
Gerald E. Bishop

Gerald E. Bishop

Special Agent
June 12, 1973

Samuel L. Blackburn

Samuel L. Blackburn

Special Agent
November 30, 1977

John Bordages

John Bordages

Task Force Officer
Date unknown

Dennis J. Branen

Dennis J. Branen

Special Agent
November 12, 1987

Ronald Brogan

Ronald Brogan

Special Agent
May 31, 1999

James E. Brown

James E. Brown

Narcotic Agent, U.S. Department of Treasury
June 7, 1928

Mark J. Bumar

Mark J. Bumar

Special Agent
June 29, 1977

Mansel R. Burrell

Mansel R. Burrell

Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Narcotics
December 19, 1967

Thomas J. Byrne

Thomas J. Byrne

Special Agent
August 28, 2008

Enrique S. Camarena

Enrique S. Camarena

Special Agent
February 7, 1985

Everton A. Campbell

Everton A. Campbell

Special Agent
June 1, 1989

Purple Heart

Robert E. Canales

Special Agent
July 22, 1971