DEA loses 3 Special Agents

[cubswin]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Drug Enforcement Administration has identified the three agents killed Monday in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, the agency's first fatalities in its counter-narcotics operations in that country.

They were Special Agent Forrest Leamon, Special Agent Chad Michael and Special Agent Michael Weston. The men were assigned to the agency's fight against the opium trade in Afghanistan, which often funds insurgent activity.

REST IN PEACE BROTHERS

[willowdared]

RIP

Thoughts and prayers en-route

[reils49]

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and brothers still fighting.

[iamacop]

I'lll be flying up to D.C. tomorrow for the weekend. Anybody know if there is a memorial site or anything along that line where I can pay my respects?

[JingleHeimrJify]

RIP

Article in Tampa Tribune

DEA agent killed in Afghan crash dreamed of law enforcement career

By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2009

Updated: 10/28/2009 03:34 pm

RELATED LINKS

3 DEA agents killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash
Flags at half-mast in honor of slain agent

Chad Michael

TAMPA - Former Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy Chad Michael wanted to help society by bringing criminals to justice.

Michael was pursuing that goal Monday when a helicopter crash in western Afghanistan claimed his life and the lives of two other special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Michael, a native of Pennsylvania who moved to Florida to jump-start a career in law enforcement, was 30.

"At first it didn't seem real," Hillsborough sheriff's communication training supervisor Alex Diaz said. "To have somebody with his whole career in front of him, to have it end like that, it's very upsetting."

Michael was a patrol deputy from 2001-04, and his performance evaluations from that time showed nothing but exemplary and satisfactory marks. Supervisors noted that Michael had "an untiring work ethic," that he was "aggressive and eager to prove himself" and develop investigative skills, according to the documents.

He received commendations for foiling burglaries, arresting car thieves and testifying against the accused aggressor in a domestic violence case.

But even then, colleagues noticed a fire in Michael that would eventually lead him far from the streets of Tampa.

"He was a very ambitious guy," Diaz said. "He wanted to get his experience out on the streets then move to a federal agency. He had aligned himself to do that."

An undercover detective who worked with Michael at the sheriff's office said news of his friend's death on Monday sent him reeling.

"I had trouble functioning. It was devastating," the detective said. The Tampa Tribune is not using the detective's name because of the nature of his work. "I try to picture him and the good times we had."

DEA special agent in charge Mark Trouville said Michael was assigned to the Miami office for six years and left in September to join a team that targets opium production in Afghanistan.

DEA operations to disrupt drug distribution networks and destroy poppy fields in the region began in 2005. The country is the world's largest producer of opium, the raw ingredient in heroin, and the drug trade is a major source of funding for insurgent groups.

Michael, his fellow DEA agents and seven U.S. troops were returning from a raid Monday from a compound believed to be harboring insurgents tied to drug trafficking when the military helicopter crashed, officials said.

"It hurts anytime we lose an agent and a friend," Trouville said. "Chad was not only an outstanding agent, but a personable young man."

For much of his life, Michael dreamed of being in law enforcement, according to his personnel file.
"I found law enforcement exciting and thought-provoking," Michael wrote in his job application for the sheriff's office. He listed his interests and hobbies as playing sports and "being tactical."

Michael's future began taking shape during his teenage years when he became a firefighter for the Hughesville, Pa., Volunteer Fire Department. Michael responded to fire and rescue calls at 16 then drove ambulances at 18, Hughesville Fire Department Chief Steven Stiger wrote in a recommendation letter to the Hillsborough sheriff's office.

The fire chief added that Michael was trustworthy and showed high competence and strong character.

Michael received a degree in criminology from St. Leo University in May 2001 and graduated from the Pasco-Hernando Police Academy that same year.

He was hired by the sheriff's office in December 2001, a month after he shared Thanksgiving dinner with Diaz and his family.

Diaz said the people Michael worked with at the sheriff's office are still shocked by his death, but knew the former deputy died doing what he loved.

"I have always wanted a career that was challenging both mentally and physically," Michael wrote in his application. "Law enforcement provides the opportunity to assist people and provide for the continuance of order in our society."

[bikecop136]

RIP Brothers....

[jc2545]

Rest In Peace, Brothers.