DEA Wall Of Honor

This month we remember...

Detective Brent L. Hanger

August 06, 2015

On August 6, 2015, Washington State Patrol Detective and Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Officer Brent L. Hanger was participating in a joint WSP and DEA marijuana eradication effort on public lands outside of Yakima, Washington. This operation was conducted as part of the Seattle, Washington Field Division’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression Program. TFO Hanger was hiking with other members of the Reconnaissance and Arrest Team following a tip about a suspected large-scale outdoor grow operation when he suffered chest pains which required immediate medical attention.  Attempts by on-scene medical personnel to revive TFO Hanger proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead on the scene.

Special Agent Thomas J. Byrne

August 30, 2008

On August 28, 2008, while attending the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, Special Agent Thomas J. Byrne was severely beaten and mugged while walking to his hotel. After multiple surgeries, he succumbed to his injuries on August 30, 2008.

Special Agent In Charge Royce D. Tramel

August 28, 2000

On August 28, 2000, Special Agent Royce D. “Doug” Tramel was struck and killed by a vehicle. He was 36 years of age at the time of his death.

Special Agent Frank S. Wallace Jr.

August 27, 1994

Frank S. Wallace, Jr., was one of five Drug Enforcement Administration special agents killed August 27, 1994, in a plane crash during a reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia, Peru. The mission was part of Operation Snowcap, a cocaine suppression program in Latin America. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death.

Special Agent Juan C. Vars

August 27, 1994

Juan C. Vars was one of five Drug Enforcement Administration special agents killed August 27, 1994, in a plane crash during a reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia, Peru. The mission was part of Operation Snowcap, a cocaine suppression program in Latin America. He was 32 years of age at the time of his death.

Special Agent Meredith Thompson

August 27, 1994

Meredith Thompson was one of five Drug Enforcement Administration special agents killed August 27, 1994, in a plane crash during a reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia, Peru. The mission was part of Operation Snowcap, a cocaine suppression program in Latin America. She was 33 years of age at the time of her death.

Special Agent Jay W. Seale

August 27, 1994

Jay W. Seale was one of five Drug Enforcement Administration special agents killed August 27, 1994, in a plane crash during a reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia, Peru. The mission was part of Operation Snowcap, a cocaine suppression program in Latin America. He was 31 years of age at the time of his death.

Special Agent Frank Fernandez Jr.

August 27, 1994

Frank Fernandez, Jr., was one of five Drug Enforcement Administration special agents killed on August 27, 1994, in a plane crash during a reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia, Peru. The mission was part of Operation Snowcap, a cocaine suppression program in Latin America. He was 38 years of age at the time of his death.

Special Agent Alan H. Winn

August 13, 1991

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Pilot Alan H. Winn, 37, was killed August 13, 1991, in a helicopter crash during an operations flight over Hawaii.

Special Agent Arthur L. Cash

August 25, 1987

Special Agent Arthur L. Cash graduated from West Virginia University in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree. After graduating from college, Special Agent Cash served as a border patrol agent with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Agent Cash joined DEA in 1974 and was transferred to the San Luis, Arizona, District Office and then to the Miami Field Division. In March 1987 he was assigned to open the Sierra Vista, Arizona Post of Duty.

Special Agent Susan M. Hoefler

August 16, 1986

Susan M. Hoefler, an office assistant at the Drug Enforcement Administration's Guadalajara, Mexico Resident Office, died on August 16, 1986, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. She was 32 years of age at the time of her death.

Clerk-Typist Mary P. Sullivan

August 05, 1974

Mary P. Sullivan, a Clerk-Typist at DEA's Miami Regional Office died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of the office building. She was 56 years of age at the time of her death.

Supervisory Clerk-Typist Martha D. Skeels

August 05, 1974

Martha D. Skeels, a supervisory clerk-typist at the Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami Regional Office, died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of the office building. She was 50 years of age at the time of her death.

Fiscal Assistant Anna J. Pope

August 05, 1974

Anna J. Pope, a fiscal assistant at the Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami Regional Office, died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of the office building. She was 54 years of age at the time of her death.

Secretary Anna Y. Mounger

August 05, 1974

Anna Y. Mounger, a secretary at DEA's Miami Regional Office, died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of that building. She was 24 years of age at the time of her death.

Special Agent Charles H. Mann

August 05, 1974

Special Agent Charles H. Mann died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of the DEA Miami Regional Office building. He was 31 years of age at the time of his death.

Secretary Mary M. Keehan

August 05, 1974

Mary M. Keehan, Secretary to the Acting Regional Director of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Miami Regional Office died on August 5, 1974, as a result of the collapse of the Miami Regional Office building. She was 27 years of age at the time of her death.

Special Agent Nickolas Fragos

August 05, 1974

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 Emir Benitez

August 09, 1973

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Emir Benitez died August 9, 1973, at Broward County General Hospital from a gunshot wound he received during an undercover cocaine investigation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death.

View the Complete Wall of Honor List