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DEA SBF Black and Gold Pipe Band
The DEA Survivors Benefit Fund Black and Gold Pipe Band is proud to honor the sacrifices of our fallen brothers.
The band is comprised of active and retired DEA Special Agents and Task Force Officers who volunteer their time and talents to honor those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
They are a mainstay at the DEA Memorial Service and other solemn events across the country.
"When I hear the call of the pipes
And the tattoo of the drums as they echo in the hills,
I will come and
stand the line.
And you should know this,
That whether you stand with me or against me,
I will fight till death.
And if the Lord should decide to take me before you,
Then you should know this.
That my brothers and sons and my sisters and
daughters will pick up my sword and continue to
Stand the line.
For oppression, anarchy and evil shall not prevail,
As long as I,
stand the line
Today,
Let us remember those warriors
Who stood beside us,
Today,
Let us remember,
We carry their swords. "
Author: A DEA Special Agent
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Recent Events
OCT 28, 2009
"These were not ordinary men. In a world where ‘ordinary’ has become acceptable, these courageous agents made ‘extraordinary’ contributions.
They pledged an oath, they wore a badge, and they ‘stood the line.’
They were proud warriors performing a vital mission. They were more than just Special Agents, they were also special Americans. They volunteered to serve their country. They believed in the mission. They made the saving of lives their life’s work.”
Michele Leonhart
OCT 27, 2009-- WASHINGTON, DC– It is with great sadness that the Drug Enforcement Administration announces the deaths of three Special Agents who were supporting counternarcotics operations in Afghanistan.
The following Special Agents died on Oct. 26:
Special Agent Forrest N. Leamon, 37, of Woodbridge, VA.
Special Agent Chad L. Michael, 30, of Quantico, VA.
Special Agent Michael E. Weston, 37, of Washington, D.C.
Special Agents Leamon and Michael were members of DEA’s FAST (Foreign-deployed Advisory and Support Teams); and Special Agent Weston was assigned to DEA’s Kabul Country Office.
Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Death of Three U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Agents in Afghanistan
~ Monday, October 26, 2009"This morning, three U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents were tragically killed in the line of duty when the helicopter in which they were riding crashed in Western Afghanistan. While the circumstances of this crash are still being investigated, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of these heroic agents. During this difficult time, the families of these agents are foremost in our thoughts and prayers.
"Every day, our law enforcement agents put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities and our country. It is an honor to work with these brave men and women from the DEA and all of our law enforcement components and to call them my colleagues. While no words can lessen the sorrow being felt today by these families, I hope their loved ones know they have the unending respect and gratitude of this nation. They certainly have mine.
"Department of Justice personnel in Afghanistan are working side by side with their Afghan counterparts to enhance the rule of law in that country. As they continue to perform this important and oftentimes dangerous work, they will carry in their hearts and minds the valiant service performed by their colleagues to make both our nations safer."
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Testimonials
"To the wonderful people of the DEA Survivors Benefit Fund,
I just wanted to pour out my heart filled thankfulness to the people of the DEA Survivors benefit Fund. When my husband Terry Died on May 28 2004, I was pregnant with our fourth baby. I was still in a state of shock and overwhelmed by the generosity and warmness of the DEA family. When I was handed a check for such a large some of money I nearly fell to my knees but instead I cried because I felt so cared for. This money really came at a great time because checks that my husband had written before he passed were bouncing because he died a couple of days too early to receive his last paycheck. I am still very humbled by the fact that all four of my children, even my son who was not born at the time of his fathers death, will be able to go to college thanks to the Survivors Benefit Fund.
Right now my children are young, ages 10, 8, 6, and almost 4, so it will be a while before they start college but I will keep the DEA family updated.
Blessings and Love to everyone who was there for my family.
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."- Debbie, Dornier, Banan, Mallory and Ross
"The Survivors Benefit Fund provides necessary support for DEA families. I am one of the children that received assistance for higher education. I am eternally grateful for their support. The support from the SBF extends beyond financial. I regularly receive phone calls from SBF volunteers on SBF activities or simply to check how I am doing. The SBF volunteers are committed to ensuring that the needs of the families of fallen DEA heroes are met during a very difficult time. It is very comforting to know that the SBF exists and is ready to act when a DEA family member needs help." - Enrique Camarena
"How profoundly indebted we are to the fund and to all the participants. Thank you, once again, for your hard word and for caring what happens to us. Amanda is at Loyola in Chicago working on her nurse practitioner degree. I doubt she would have been able to do it on her own unless she borrowed a whole pile of money. She is working part time, and because of the SBF she is able to concentrate on school. What an incredible gift and opportunity you have given her! Thank you. Thank you." - The Cash Family
"A significant part of this healing was the relationship that our family developed with some wonderful agents within the Drug Enforcement Administration. Through their creativity, hard work and dedication, the DEA family created The Survivors Benefit Fund. . The Everett E Hatcher Memorial Tournament is only one small fundraiser that provides aid to families, like us, whose lives were changed in the blink of an eye. For our family, it really is a wonderful way to honor their father and the memory of other agents who have given their lives to protect and serve! The greatness of this fund . . . has grown to give financial, emotional and educational support to families who have catastrophic challenges ahead of them. You were instrumental in supporting my youngest son throughout his education at Fordham University. You have been with me and behind my sons for many years. The men and women who carry on their daily jobs and work for the benefit of others should never be overlooked. They have given our family more than I can ever repay." - Mary Jane Hatcher
"My father was a great man who accomplished a great deal in his life and died a hero to me and my family. He not only graduated from college, but went on to law school and passed the bar in Arizona. . . . He was a hard worker, determined to do his best and to achieve his dreams. It is this resolve that I try to implement in my life. While I have not accomplished as much as he has, I have tried to make a difference in my own way. I have an active role in the University and done well in most of my classes. However, these accomplishments would probably be less and harder to accomplish without the Survivor's Benefit Fund . . . even though my father is not here with me, I believe that it is his spirit that keeps me focused and driven to do my best." - Zarina Ramos
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What can we do?
- The DEA SBF can’t do this alone, we need the help of everyone
- Obligation and commitment to heroes’ families is too great
- We ask and hope for people who believe and commit to our cause
- Can’t do anything to bring back our fallen partners but we can ensure that their families are not forgotten and financially victimized
- Financial assistance assures that children who have lost their fathers or mothers can still aspire to college and fulfill their dreams
- Consider the DEA SBF in your ESTATE PLAN
- The DEA Survivors Benefit Fund is in the continual process of raising funds to support the families of DEA and Task Force employees left behind by tragedy. The majority of DEA Survivors Funds available to families come from fundraisers and auctions conducted around the country by DEA employees and DEA Survivors Fund supporters.
- The DEA SBF is always in need of items and support for these events. Especially popular are sports and entertainment autographed memorabilia suitable for auction. If you or someone you know is willing to donate items for our fundraising events, please contact DEASurvivors@aol.com. Thank you for your support.
- If you are interested in helping by making a monetary donation, please visit our donate page.
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Why the SBF is needed
- A law enforcement officer is killed every 59 hours in the U.S.
- Over 66,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year
- DEA Agents investigate and arrest most ruthless and violent people in the world
- DEA has suffered an extremely high number of losses for the size of our agency
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Future Goals of DEA SBF
- Increase Line of Duty Death Benefit to $50,000
- Secure financial assets to allow commitment to pay full college tuition to children of DEA Agents and Task Force Officers killed in the line of duty
- The DEA SBF hopes to expand the level of educational and psychological services available to surviving families and continue to pursue the goal that all surviving children of DEA heroes are able to attain their personal goals
- Develop an Annual Campaign
- Develop an Estate Planning Section to ensure adequate future funding
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DEA SBF Benefits
- $20,000 disbursement within 24 hours of a Line of Duty Death of DEA Employee or Deputized Task Force Officer, plus $10,000 for each child under 21
- Higher Education assistance for family members of DEA Agents and Task Force Officers killed in line of duty
- Currently 33 children of deceased employees are eligible for higher education assistance in the future
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DEA SBF Accomplishments
- Over $ 2.4 million has been disbursed by the SBF, in furtherance of DEA Survivors Benefit Fund goals
- Over 44 DEA families financially assisted with death benefits, educational grants and hardship assistance
- Computerized Honor Roll Memorials installed at DEA Headquarters and the DEA Training Academy to honor our agents’ sacrifices and expansion of the memorials to all of DEA's Divisional Offices
- Included in Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity so federal employees can directly contribute from their pay using CFC Code 10113
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Reasons for DEA SBF
- Families needs not being met following Line of Duty Deaths of DEA Special Agents or DEA Task Force Officers
- Mistaken belief that families experience a financial windfall following Line of Duty Death
- Expenses for large traditional police funerals, family transportation and accommodations fall upon the deceased family
- No higher education assistance programs existed for children of DEA Agents killed in the line of duty
- No appropriate memorials existed to properly recognize the sacrifice our Colleagues made
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History and Development
- THE DEA SBF was Incorporated in 1997 from existing memorial funds named in the memory of an agent that was killed in the line of duty. The original funds were:
- Rick Finley Fund- Detroit
- Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Fund- Miami
- Montoya/Seema Fund- Los Angeles
- Everett Hatcher Fund- New York
- Richard Fass Fund- Phoenix
These funds operated independently of each other and had limited impact paying minimal benefits. Because of DEA's extraordinary losses, these funds would often spent every dollar raised annually. The design of the Rick Finley Fund was used to format the DEA SBF which paid an immediate line of duty death benefit and educational expenses for dependants.
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What is the Drug Enforcement Administration Survivors Benefit Fund (DEA SBF)
- The Drug Enforcement Administration Survivors Benefit Fund (DEASBF) is a non-profit charitable organization as authorized and defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)Code of 1986, Section 501(c)(3)
- The DEA SBF supports the surviving family members of United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration Employees and deputized Task Force Officers killed in the line of duty. A line of duty death benefit is paid within 24 hours to assist with the funeral costs. Educational expenses are also paid for dependants.
To learn more about the DEA, please visit dea.gov
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"A man's death is more the survivors's affair than his own" ~Thomas Mann
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