Roll of Honor
Richard E. Fass
Incident
Special Agent Richard Fass was shot and killed during an undercover assignment to apprehend drug smugglers in Phoenix. The methamphetamine dealers shot him at a strip mall at 5060 W. Bethany Home Road as he pleaded for his life. They then escaped to Mexico. Three suspects were eventually apprehended and convicted of Agent Fass' murder. The ringleader was extradited from Mexico to the United States in February 2005 to face trial. On November 13th, 2006, he was sentenced to serve 71 years after being convicted of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of kidnapping, three counts of attempted armed robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. The other three suspects were all convicted. The shooter was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 55 years for robbery, kidnapping and other charges. Another suspect who shot Agent Fass in the trigger finger was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years, plus 43 years for robbery kidnapping and other crimes. The fourth suspect, who cooperated with authorities, was sentenced to 2-1/2 years after he was convicted of lesser charges. Special Agent Fass had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-841F23AF- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Fass gave the United States Department of Justice 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Fass.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Richard E. Fass 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Richard E. Fass's cause is highlighted.
How Richard E. Fass Compares
Offender Outcome
Four suspects charged; all convicted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard E. Fass is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard E. Fass was killed by gun; unknown type.
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.
