Enrique Camarena

Special Agent Enrique S. Camarena, of the Drug Enforcement Administration's {DEA} Guadalajara , Mexico Resident Office, was kidnapped and tortured by Mexican drug traffickers on February 7, 1985. It is believed that Special Agent Camarena's death actually occured on March 5, 1985. He was 37 years of age at the time of his death.

SA Camarena joined DEA in June 1974 as a Special Agent with the Calexico, California District Office. He was assigned to the Fresno District Office in September 1977, and transferred to the Guadalajara Resident Office in July 1981. During his 11 years with DEA, he received two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Awards and, posthumously, the Administrator's Award of Honor, the highest award granted by the DEA.

Prior to joining the DEA. Enrique Camarena worked in Calexico as a fireman and then as a police investigator for the Imperial County Sheriff Coroner. Special Agent Camarena was survived by his wife, Geneva, and his three children, Enrique, Daniel, and Erik. Each October, thousands of schools, communities and state and local drug abuse prevention organizations distribute Red Ribbons to honor Special Agent Camarena's memory. The millions of Americans who wear these ribbons demonstrate visibly their commitment to a drug-free life. DEA's Miami Division hosts a golf tournament each year in memory of Special Agent Camarena. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the DEA Special Agents Survivors Benefit Fund.