Hero
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Wall of Honor
Every month DEA remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice for drug law enforcement and the nation. Browse anniversaries below or search the complete list of fallen heroes.
Content
James R. Kerrigan
Agent
Federal Agent James R. Kerrigan died December 27, 1928, from abdominal injuries sustained on September 28, 1928, when he fell eight feet into an airway while conducting a raid on an opium den in Newark, New Jersey’s, Chinatown. Agent Kerrigan continued to work after his fall but frequently complained of sudden pains. Three months later he checked into a hospital, and doctors decided that he should undergo an abdominal operation to relieve the ailment. Agent Kerrigan showed improvement after the operation but suffered a sudden relapse and died. Read more >
Wilson Michael Shee
Agent
On December 12, 1957, Narcotics Agent Wilson M. Shee of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Bureau of Narcotics, was killed in San Francisco, California, by a drug-addicted informant. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
Mansel R. Burrell
Agent
Federal Bureau of Narcotics Agent Mansel Ross Burrell was killed by drug traffickers on December 19, 1967, in Gary, Indiana, while working undercover on a heroin investigation. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death. Agent Burrell was the youngest federal narcotics agent ever to die in the line of duty. Read more >
Larry D. Wallace
Special Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Larry D. Wallace died December 19, 1975, at the Naval Regional Medical Center in Guam from gunshot wounds received during an undercover drug investigation. He was 32 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
Octavio Gonzalez
Special Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration Country Attaché Octavio Gonzalez, who was in charge of DEA's Office in Bogota, Colombia, was shot and killed in his office by an informant on December 13, 1976. He was 38 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
Marcellus Ward
Detective
On December 3, 1984, Marcellus Ward of the Baltimore, Maryland, Police Department was shot and killed while working on an undercover assignment. Ward was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration's Baltimore District Office Task Force. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
William Ramos
Special Agent
Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent William Ramos of the McAllen, Texas District Office was shot and killed on December 31, 1986. Special Agent Ramos was killed by a drug trafficking suspect while making an arrest during an undercover investigation at Las Milpas, Texas, near the Mexican border. He was 30 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
Shaun E. Curl
Special Agent
On December 12, 1997, Special Agent Shaun E. Curl was killed while assigned to the Miami Field Division. He was 39 years of age at the time of his death. Read more >
Visit the New DEA Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor is a central, yet serene, place of reflection located in the DEA Museum's lobby. Since 1995, the agency has prominently displayed portraits of the men and women of DEA and its predecessor agencies who lost their lives while on duty. DEA continues to honor their sacrifices with a redesigned space featuring newly commissioned portraits, a dignified brass display area, respectful 24-hour illumination, and an interactive kiosk that shares the stories of each hero.
Click here to view the complete Wall of Honor list.