Roll of Honor
Thomas Joseph Byrne
Incident
Location: Louisiana Incident Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008 Weapon: Person Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Special Agent Thomas Byrne succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was abducted and beaten while attending a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was returning to his hotel room when he was abducted.
He was found suffering from major trauma near the Elysian Fields Avenue overpass in the city's 7th Ward, 40 blocks from where he was last seen. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. The suspect was apprehended.
On July 23, 2009, the suspect, 46, was convicted of second degree murder and robbery, and sentenced to 30 years.
Agent Byrne had served with the DEA for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-FED-F0EA1271- Stewardship
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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 Byrne gave the United States Department of Justice 17 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Byrne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Thomas Joseph Byrne 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, 18 of 38 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Joseph Byrne's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Joseph Byrne Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Joseph Byrne is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Joseph Byrne was killed by person.
Incident Location
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.
