Special Agent Richard E. Fass
United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Thursday, June 30, 1994

Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, June 30, 1994
Incident Location: Arizona
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Four suspects charged

Special Agent Fass was shot and killed during an undercover assignment to apprehend drug smugglers in Phoenix, Arizona. The smugglers shot him as he begged for his life before escaping to Mexico.

Three suspects were eventually apprehended and convicted of Agent Fass' murder. The ring leader 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 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 fourths suspect, who cooperated with authorities, was sentenced to 2 1/2 years after he was convicted of lesser charges.

Special Agent Fass had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.