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Incident
Special Agent Eddie Benitez was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest during an undercover operation in Miami, Florida. During the previous week, the suspect had sold Agent Benitez several handguns, rifles, and silencers. The suspect agreed to meet Agent Benitez at a local shopping plaza at the intersection of NW 37th Avenue and 7th Street. Agent Benitez met the man in the parking lot and began talking to him as the man sat in his car. When Agent Benitez identified himself as an agent the subject produced a .38 caliber handgun and shot him twice. The subject was found guilty of second-degree murder, firearms, and drug charges. He was sentenced to life in prison. Agent Benitez had served with the ATF for three years and had previously served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Benitez gave the United States Department of the Treasury 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Benitez.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Eddie Benitez served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has lost 12 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Eddie is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Eddie is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Eddie is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer at United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1993, with 4.
In 1983, 6 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Eddie was 27. Of the 6 killed feloniously at United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms whose age is recorded, half were between 27.3 and 29.5; the middle age was 28. Eddie had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4.3 years.
Eddie was 27. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Eddie had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Eddie was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Eddie had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eddie was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Eddie had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; February holds the most, 66.7%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
July holds 11.7% of these deaths in DC, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 12.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has 12 officers remembered here, Eddie among them.
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Craig Peter Carney Dec 1, 1972
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Richard Phillip Daniels Sep 24, 1974
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James Fulton Grayson, III
Jan 10, 1976
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Dale M. Harbolt
Jun 7, 1976
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Ariel Rios
Dec 2, 1982
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Eddie Benitez
Jul 12, 1983
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Johnny Alvin Masengale
May 6, 1992
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Conway Charles LeBleu
Feb 28, 1993
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Todd Wayne McKeehan
Feb 28, 1993
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Robert John Williams
Feb 28, 1993
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Steven David Willis
Feb 28, 1993
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David Elliott Sullivan
Mar 31, 1994
Where
Military Service
Eddie Benitez served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Eddie Benitez’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are honored on badge.nw.
