Roll of Honor
Renault Rene Bayhi
Incident
Special Agent Renault Bayhi succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during an undercover operation in Brownsville, Texas, on July 20th, 1972. The operation was taking place at the Holiday Inn on the Expressway Frontage Road in North Brownsville. During a buy/bust operation where Customs agents were buying $164,000 of heroin, the dealer became spooked when he saw people outside the motel room and began firing. Special Agent Bayhi was shot in the right shoulder, suffered spinal injuries, and became paralyzed from the chest down. The man who shot them was shot and killed by another agent. Two other Customs Service agents were wounded but recovered from their injuries. Special Agent Bayhi succumbed to complications of his wounds on April 29th, 1975. Special Agent Bayhi had served with the United States Customs Service for less than one year and had been recognized for his outstanding work before being shot. He was also awarded a Presidential Letter of Commendation by President Nixon, along with the other agents involved in the heroin case. He had previously served with the United States Border Patrol, in Brownsville, Texas, for four years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, son, parents, and three sisters. He was buried at the Pleasant Home Cemetery in Bluff Springs. Florida.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, son, parents, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Bayhi gave the United States Department of the Treasury 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Bayhi.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Renault Rene Bayhi is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,775 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Renault Rene Bayhi's cause is highlighted.
How Renault Rene Bayhi Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Renault Rene Bayhi is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Renault Rene Bayhi was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
