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Esteban Gabriel Peña
Incident
Location: Florida Incident Date: Friday, April 7, 2023
Aviation Enforcement Agent Esteban Peña passed away after contracting Streptococcal Meningitis while attending P-3 flight simulator training in Jacksonville, Florida.
When Agent Peña returned to Corpus Christi, Texas, he started to experience symptoms and took sick leave. On April 14th, he was transported to the local hospital and placed on life support. He succumbed to the infection on April 15, 2023.
Agent Peña had served with the United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations for almost seven years, assigned to the Naval Air Security Operations Center, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, brother, and four sisters.
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.
Aviation Enforcement Agent Peña gave the United States Department of Homeland Security 6 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Aviation Enforcement Agent Peña.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations has lost 9 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Esteban is one of 137 officers lost to illness in DC, 9.7% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Esteban is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Esteban is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 3 officers in DC were lost to illness, the 8th heaviest of 25 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 45.
In 2023, 60 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2023, 63 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Esteban was 62. Of the 136 lost to illness in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 56.3; the middle age was 51. Esteban had served 6.8 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
Esteban was 62. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Esteban had served 6.8 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Esteban was 62. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Esteban had served 6.8 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
April holds 5.8% of these deaths in DC; October holds the most, 13.9%. Saturdays: 18.2%.
April holds 6.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
April holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 22.2% of all 9 deaths at United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 9.7% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations has 9 officers remembered here, Esteban among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Air and Marine Operations are honored on badge.nw.
