Prior to joining DEA in March 1974, Special Agent Nickolas Fragos was a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran. He was awarded a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and two Army commendation medals for his service as a medic. After serving his country in Vietnam, Special Agent Fragos returned to the Detroit, Michigan area, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology at Wayne State University. He also served as a medical assistant with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

Special Agent Fragos was appointed to the position of special agent at the Detroit Regional Office in March 1974. After completing Basic Agent Training in Washington, DC, he was assigned to the Miami Regional Office on July 21, 1974. He was killed on August 5, 1974, his first day of work as a DEA Special Agent, when the DEA's Miami Regional Office Building collapsed. He was 29 years of age at the time of his death.

Seven DEA employees died in the collapse of the Miami Office at 10:22 a.m. on August 5, 1974. Investigators determined that poor construction materials significantly contributed to the collapse of the structure.