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Manuel Zurita VII
Incident
Investigator Manuel Zurita died on January 6th, 1998, from injuries he sustained in a boating accident on January 1st, 1998, while assisting the United States Secret Service with a presidential protection detail for President William Clinton. He and two other customs agents were securing the waters to assure a safe landing for Air Force One when their boat hit a coral reef outside of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Investigator Zurita was air-lifted with massive injuries to a hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he later died of his injuries. The two other agents were seriously injured in the accident. Investigator Zurita had served with the Customs Service for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Criminal Investigator Zurita gave the United States Department of the Treasury 12 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Criminal Investigator Zurita.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service - Office of Investigations has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Manuel is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Manuel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Manuel is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 10 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Manuel was 46. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Manuel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Manuel was 46. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Manuel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Manuel was 46. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Manuel had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.4% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service - Office of Investigations, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service - Office of Investigations has 6 officers remembered here, Manuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service - Office of Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
