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
Andrew G. Cloke

Andrew G. Cloke

Task Force Officer
April 17, 1984

Victor Cortez Jr.

Victor Cortez Jr.

Special Agent
August 13, 1986

Andrew Croddy

Andrew Croddy

Special Agent/Pilot
July 29, 2013

Purple Heart

Samiullah Dadullah

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown

Jorge DelRio

Jorge DelRio

Task Force Officer
November 7, 2019

Thomas J. Devine

Thomas J. Devine

Special Agent
October 12, 1972

Salvador A. DiJamco

Salvador A. DiJamco

Special Agent
April 10, 1979

Richard M. Dobrich

Richard M. Dobrich

Section Chief, Office of Foreign Operations
February 12, 2010

Michael J. Dugan

Michael J. Dugan

Special Agent
August 28, 1991

Bill H. Everett

Bill H. Everett

Special Agent
May 5, 1963

Purple Heart

Said Fahim Farooq

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown

Richard E. Fass

Richard E. Fass

Special Agent
June 30, 1994