Special Agent Richard E. Fass

Special Agent Richard E. Fass

United States Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, June 30, 1994

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Richard E. Fass

Special Agent Richard Fass was shot and killed during an undercover assignment to apprehend drug smugglers in Phoenix. The methamphetamine dealers shot him at a strip mall at 5060 W. Bethany Home Road as he pleaded for his life. They then escaped to Mexico.

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

Special Agent Fass had served with the Drug Enforcement Administration for seven years. He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

Bio

  • Age 37
  • Tour 7 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Location Arizona
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Four suspects charged; all convicted

narcotics, smuggling, undercover

Most Recent Reflection

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Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 1, 2025

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