George M. Montoya
Incident
Special Agent Montoya and Special Agent Paul Seema were shot and killed while conducting an undercover narcotics purchase in Pasadena, California. They had accompanied one of the dealers to the 1400 block of South Marengo Avenue with the intent of purchasing $90,000 worth of heroin. Once they arrived at the location the subject demanded the cash as another car pulled up alongside their vehicle. As Special Agent Seema handed the cash to him the man shot him in the head. A subject exited the other car and shot Special Agent Montoya in the head. A third agent who was with them returned fire as the men fled in the other car. Other agents pursued the vehicle and engaged the subjects in a shootout after the car crashed on Monterey Road in San Marino. Two of the suspects were killed and a third was arrested. Several suspects who fled in a separate car were also arrested. Agent Montoya had been with the DEA for one year and had previously served with the United States Border Patrol for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Montoya gave the United States Department of Justice 9 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Montoya.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has lost 38 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
George 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 1988, 2 officers at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1988, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1988, 105 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 31. Of the 18 killed feloniously at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41.5; the middle age was 37. George had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
George was 31. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. George had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
George was 31. 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. George had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 22.2% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration; December holds the most, 22.2%. Fridays: 22.2%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 38 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has 38 officers remembered here, George among them.
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Emir Benitez
Aug 9, 1973
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Nickolas I. Fragos
Aug 5, 1974
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Charles H. Mann
Aug 5, 1974
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Larry Dale Wallace
Dec 19, 1975
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James T. Lunn
May 14, 1976
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Ralph N. Shaw
May 14, 1976
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Octavio Gonzales
Dec 13, 1976
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Francis J. Miller
Mar 5, 1977
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Robert Carter Lightfoot
Nov 23, 1977
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Thomas J. Devine
Sep 25, 1982
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Larry N. Carwell
Jan 9, 1984
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Enrique Salazar Camarena
Feb 9, 1985
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William Ramos
Dec 31, 1986
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Raymond J. Stastny
Jan 26, 1987
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Arthur L. Cash
Aug 25, 1987
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George M. Montoya
Feb 5, 1988
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Paul S. Seema
Feb 6, 1988
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Everett Emerson Hatcher
Feb 28, 1989
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Rickie C. Finley
May 20, 1989
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Alan H. Winn
Aug 13, 1991
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George Douglas Althouse
May 28, 1992
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Becky Lee Dwojeski-Phipps
Oct 21, 1993
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Richard E. Fass
Jun 30, 1994
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Frank Fernandez, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
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Jay W. Seale
Aug 27, 1994
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Meredith Thompson
Aug 27, 1994
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Juan C. Vars
Aug 27, 1994
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Frank S. Wallace, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
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Kenneth Glenn McCullough
Apr 19, 1995
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Shaun Edmond Curl
Dec 12, 1997
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Terrance Patrick Loftus
May 28, 2004
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Don Cleo Ware
Oct 12, 2004
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Thomas Joseph Byrne
Aug 30, 2008
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Chad L. Michael
Oct 26, 2009
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Forrest Nelson Leamon
Oct 26, 2009
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Michael E. Weston
Oct 26, 2009
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James Terry Watson
Jun 21, 2013
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Michael Gale Garbo
Oct 4, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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