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
Robert L. Surovec

Robert L. Surovec

Special Agent
August 23, 1974

Wallace Tanaka

Wallace Tanaka

Special Agent
April 10, 1979

Meredith Thompson

Meredith Thompson

Special Agent
August 27, 1994

Bruce W. Travers

Bruce W. Travers

Special Agent
September 6, 1988

Frank Tummillo

Frank Tummillo

Special Agent, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
October 12, 1972

Juan C. Vars

Juan C. Vars

Special Agent/Pilot
August 27, 1994

Gustavo T. Vazquez

Gustavo T. Vazquez

Special Agent
May 31, 1971

Frank S. Wallace

Frank S. Wallace

Special Agent/Pilot
August 27, 1994

Larry Wallace

Larry D. Wallace

Special Agent
Date unknown

Donald C. Ware

Donald C. Ware

Special Agent
June 9, 1975

James "Terry" Watson

James "Terry" Watson

Special Agent
June 21, 2013

Lonny G. Watson

Lonny G. Watson

Special Agent
May 30, 1988