Roll of Honor
Incident
Agent David DeLitta was shot and killed as he and a co-worker were being robbed when they arrived at a restaurant at 8225 Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The two agents had just served a subpoena and were meeting other agents for dinner. As the two agents walked into the restaurant, they were confronted by an armed man who demanded the agents place their wallets on the hood of their car. Agent DeLitta attempted to retrieve his duty weapon from his ankle holster as the man began shooting. The subject's last round penetrated Agent Delitta's arm and entered his abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained in surgery for approximately 30 hours before succumbing to the wound. The subject fled the scene but turned himself in through a local television station one month later. He was convicted of state charges of capital murder and on federal charges of murdering a federal agent. He was sentenced to death but died in prison while on death row. After the man had been taken into custody the gun used to murder Agent DeLitta was used in another murder. Agent DeLitta had served in law enforcement for 16 years. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. His law enforcement career included clerking for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as an officer for the Tampa Police Department and the Greeley Police Department, and as a Drug Enforcement Administration undercover special agent. He had only served with the EPA for four months when he was murdered.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-E86ACE83- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent DeLitta gave the United States Environmental Protection Agency 16 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David Robert DeLitta served in the Marine Corps (1970â1971) before joining law enforcement.
Special Agent David Robert DeLitta 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 Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigations Division, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Robert DeLitta's cause is highlighted.
How David Robert DeLitta Compares
Offender Outcome
Died on death row
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Robert DeLitta is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Robert DeLitta was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from United States Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigations Division are honored on badge.nw.
