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Thomas Joseph Byrne
Incident
Location: Louisiana Incident Date: Thursday, August 28, 2008 Weapon: Person Offender: Sentenced to 30 years
Special Agent Thomas Byrne succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier when he was abducted and beaten while attending a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was returning to his hotel room when he was abducted.
He was found suffering from major trauma near the Elysian Fields Avenue overpass in the city's 7th Ward, 40 blocks from where he was last seen. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later. The suspect was apprehended.
On July 23, 2009, the suspect, 46, was convicted of second degree murder and robbery, and sentenced to 30 years.
Agent Byrne had served with the DEA for 17 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Special Agent Byrne gave the United States Department of Justice 17 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Byrne.
— 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.
Thomas is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2008, 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 2008, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 2008, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2008, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 40. 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. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
Thomas was 40. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 40. 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. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths at United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration; December holds the most, 22.2%. Saturdays: 22.2%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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 person, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.1% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration has 38 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Emir Benitez
Aug 9, 1973
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Nickolas I. Fragos
Aug 5, 1974
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Charles H. Mann
Aug 5, 1974
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Larry Dale Wallace
Dec 19, 1975
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James T. Lunn
May 14, 1976
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Ralph N. Shaw
May 14, 1976
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Octavio Gonzales
Dec 13, 1976
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Francis J. Miller
Mar 5, 1977
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Robert Carter Lightfoot
Nov 23, 1977
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Thomas J. Devine
Sep 25, 1982
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Larry N. Carwell
Jan 9, 1984
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Enrique Salazar Camarena
Feb 9, 1985
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William Ramos
Dec 31, 1986
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Raymond J. Stastny
Jan 26, 1987
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Arthur L. Cash
Aug 25, 1987
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George M. Montoya
Feb 5, 1988
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Paul S. Seema
Feb 6, 1988
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Everett Emerson Hatcher
Feb 28, 1989
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Rickie C. Finley
May 20, 1989
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Alan H. Winn
Aug 13, 1991
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George Douglas Althouse
May 28, 1992
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Becky Lee Dwojeski-Phipps
Oct 21, 1993
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Richard E. Fass
Jun 30, 1994
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Frank Fernandez, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
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Jay W. Seale
Aug 27, 1994
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Meredith Thompson
Aug 27, 1994
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Juan C. Vars
Aug 27, 1994
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Frank S. Wallace, Jr.
Aug 27, 1994
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Kenneth Glenn McCullough
Apr 19, 1995
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Shaun Edmond Curl
Dec 12, 1997
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Terrance Patrick Loftus
May 28, 2004
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Don Cleo Ware
Oct 12, 2004
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Thomas Joseph Byrne
Aug 30, 2008
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Chad L. Michael
Oct 26, 2009
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Forrest Nelson Leamon
Oct 26, 2009
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Michael E. Weston
Oct 26, 2009
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James Terry Watson
Jun 21, 2013
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Michael Gale Garbo
Oct 4, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-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.
