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Michael S. Bernstein
Incident
Assistant Deputy Director Michael Bernstein, Special Agent Ronald Lariviere, and Special Agent Daniel O'Connor, both of the Diplomatic Security Service, were killed when a terrorist's bomb destroyed the commercial aircraft they were traveling in while returning to the United States from Europe. A total of 259 people on the plane and 11 people on the ground were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. The investigation that followed lead to strong sanctions against Libya and the arrest of two Libyan nationals. One suspect was convicted of murder while the second was acquitted. On July 25, 2009, the suspect applied for, and was later granted compassionate release from the United Kingdom, on the basis that he had terminal prostate cancer. On August 20, 2009, he was released from prison and traveled to Libya the same day. He died in Libya in 2012.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Assistant Deputy Director Bernstein served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Assistant Deputy Director Bernstein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of United States Department of Justice - Office of Special Investigations remembered here.
Michael is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael 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 1988, 6 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1988, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1988, 105 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 58th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 36. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36.
Michael was 36. 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.
Michael was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 10.3% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Office of Special Investigations. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 1.2% 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 explosives, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was explosives, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from United States Department of Justice - Office of Special Investigations are honored on badge.nw.