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Ralph N. Shaw
Incident
Special Agent Ralph Shaw and Special Agent James Lunn died in a plane crash during an operations flight in support of Mexico's opium eradication program. The single-engine de Havilland Beaver crashed into a 12,000-foot mountain near Atoyac de Alvarez, Mexico, during a period of low visibility due to a thick haze. Mexican federal narcotics agent Noe Echaustegui was also killed in the crash. Special Agent Shaw had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for eight years. He had previously served with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service for six years and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Shaw gave the United States Department of Justice 14 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Shaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has lost 38 officers; 20 of them lost to accidents.
Ralph is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 2 officers at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 5.
In 1976, 5 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 1976, 59 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 76th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1976, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 40. Of the 20 lost to accidents at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 38.3; the middle age was 37. Ralph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Ralph was 40. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ralph was 40. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 40. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration; August holds the most, 45%. Fridays: 15%.
May holds 10% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Fridays: 15.7%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 52.6% of all 38 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has 38 officers remembered here, Ralph 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 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
37 officers from United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
