United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 17 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: August 28, 2008
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: 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. He is survived by his wife and four children.