Eddie Benitez
Agency patch
Special Agent

Eddie Benitez

Felonious
End of Watch July 12, 1983
Age 27
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 127 ›
Gender Male

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

Permanent identifier
BO-US-65B7DF84
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Eddie. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdtbatffed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 12, 1983
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

Special Agent Eddie Benitez is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 6 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of the Treasury - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
6
of 12 officers
50% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,419 officers
53.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Eddie Benitez's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Eddie Benitez Compares

Age at End of Watch
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
7
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Eddie Benitez is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Eddie Benitez was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location