Criminal Investigator Manuel Zurita, VII

Criminal Investigator Manuel Zurita, VII

United States Department of the Treasury - Customs Service - Office of Investigations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Tuesday, January 6, 1998

Manuel Zurita, VII

Investigator Manuel Zurita died on January 6, 1998, from injuries he sustained in a boating accident on January 1, 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. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 46
Tour 12 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Boating accident
Location Virgin Islands
Incident Date Thursday, January 1, 1998

Most Recent Reflection

View all 30 Reflections

Today marks 20 years of your absence. I cry less but I miss you the same or more. I have had the honor to meet some of your brothers in arms and it truly has been a pleasure to speak with them and learn some more about you. I will continue to keep your memory alive. I love you and miss you.

Denisse Zurita

January 6, 2018