Prev
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
neuraspine_01krbxtmj60dantg414h2zz47k- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has lost 38 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1994, 1 officer at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1988, with 2.
In 1994, 4 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 37. Of the 18 killed feloniously at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41.5; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Richard was 37. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Richard was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration; December holds the most, 22.2%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 38 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has 38 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
-
Emir Benitez
Aug 9, 1973
-
Nickolas I. Fragos
Aug 5, 1974
-
Charles H. Mann
Aug 5, 1974
-
Larry Dale Wallace
Dec 19, 1975
-
James T. Lunn
May 14, 1976
-
Ralph N. Shaw
May 14, 1976
-
Octavio Gonzales
Dec 13, 1976
-
Francis J. Miller
Mar 5, 1977
-
Robert Carter Lightfoot
Nov 23, 1977
-
Thomas J. Devine
Sep 25, 1982
-
Larry N. Carwell
Jan 9, 1984
-
Enrique Salazar Camarena
Feb 9, 1985
-
William Ramos
Dec 31, 1986
-
Raymond J. Stastny
Jan 26, 1987
-
Arthur L. Cash
Aug 25, 1987
-
George M. Montoya
Feb 5, 1988
-
Paul S. Seema
Feb 6, 1988
-
Everett Emerson Hatcher
Feb 28, 1989
-
Rickie C. Finley
May 20, 1989
-
Alan H. Winn
Aug 13, 1991
-
George Douglas Althouse
May 28, 1992
-
Becky Lee Dwojeski-Phipps
Oct 21, 1993
-
Richard E. Fass
Jun 30, 1994
-
Frank Fernandez, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
-
Jay W. Seale
Aug 27, 1994
-
Meredith Thompson
Aug 27, 1994
-
Juan C. Vars
Aug 27, 1994
-
Frank S. Wallace, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
-
Kenneth Glenn McCullough
Apr 19, 1995
-
Shaun Edmond Curl
Dec 12, 1997
-
Terrance Patrick Loftus
May 28, 2004
-
Don Cleo Ware
Oct 12, 2004
-
Thomas Joseph Byrne
Aug 30, 2008
-
Chad L. Michael
Oct 26, 2009
-
Forrest Nelson Leamon
Oct 26, 2009
-
Michael E. Weston
Oct 26, 2009
-
James Terry Watson
Jun 21, 2013
-
Michael Gale Garbo
Oct 4, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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.
