Special Agent David Robert DeLitta
United States Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigations Division
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, October 28, 1988

Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, October 27, 1988
Incident Location: Texas
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Died on death row

Agent DeLitta was shot and killed as he and a co-worker were robbed as they arrived at a restaurant on Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The two agents had just served a subpoena and were meeting other agents for dinner.

As the two agents walked into the restaurant they were confronted by an armed suspect who demanded the agents place their wallets on the hood of their car. Agent DeLitta attempted to retrieve his duty weapon from his ankle holster as the suspect began shooting. The suspect's last round penetrated Agent DeLitta's arm and entered is abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital where he remained in surgery for approximately 30 hours before succumbing to the wound.

The suspect fled the scene but turned himself in through a local television station one month later. He was convicted of state charges of capital murder and on federal charges of murdering a federal agent. He was sentenced to death. After the suspect had been taken into custody the gun used to murder Agent DeLitta was used in another murder.

Agent DeLitta had served in law enforcement for 16 years. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. His law enforcement career included clerking for the FBI, as an officer for the Tampa Police Department and the Greeley Police department, and as a DEA undercover special agent. He had only been with the EPA for 4 months when he was murdered. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, and sister.