Roll of Honor
Richard Heath, Jr.
Incident
Special Agent Richard Heath died on April 1, 1973 in Quito, Ecuador, from complications of a gunshot wound he received during an undercover operation in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, on February 22, 1973. Special Agent Heath had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-EF3524DD- 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 Heath gave the United States Department of Justice 7 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Heath.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Richard Heath, Jr. 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 - Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Heath, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Richard Heath, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Heath, Jr. is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Heath, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from United States Department of Justice - Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs are honored on badge.nw.
