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

Debi Medina

Task Force Agent
December 12, 2000

G. Ernest Mertens

G. Ernest Mertens

Special Agent
October 17, 1970

Chad Michael

Chad L. Michael

Special Agent
October 26, 2009

Bill E. Modesitt

Bill E. Modesitt

Special Agent
April 21, 1981

Purple Heart

Allah Mohammad Mohammad

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown

George M. Montoya

George M. Montoya

Special Agent
February 5, 1988

Purple Heart

Suleiman Nadim

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
December 19, 1975

Robert J. Palombo

Robert J. Palombo

Special Agent
October 19, 1971

Alfred Paris

Alfred Paris

Special Agent
February 23, 2001

Joseph Piersante

Joseph Piersante

Special Agent, Office of Special Projects
October 31, 2011

Frank A. Quintal

Frank A. Quintal

Special Agent
Date unknown

Purple Heart

Najibullah Qutratullah

Afghan Officer, National Interdiction Unit
Date unknown