"The World Is A Dangerous Place, Not Because Of Those Who Do Evil, But Because Of Those Who Look On And Do Nothing." - Albert Einstein
What is the DEA SBF
- SBF is a non-profit charitable organization as authorized and defined by the Internal Revenue Service
- Sanctioned 501(c)(3) organization of the IRS Code of 1986
- DEA SBF has no paid employees, office space or vehicles and is staffed entirely by employee volunteers
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History and Development
- Incorporated in 1997 from existing memorial funds
- Rick Finley Fund- Detroit
- Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Fund- Miami
- Montoya/Seema Fund- Los Angeles
- Everett Hatcher Fund- New York
- Richard Fass Fund- Phoenix
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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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DEA SBF Accomplishments
- Over $1.8 million disbursed by the SBF, disbursed in furtherance of DEA Survivors Benefit Fund goals
- Over 40 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
- Included in Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity so federal employees can directly contribute from their pay
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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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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
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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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What can we do?
- We (DEA) can’t do this alone
- 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, please visit our donate page.
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Testimonials
"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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