In the winter of 1987, a dedicated and well-respected Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent, Raymond J. Stastny, lost his life in the line of duty in Atlanta, Georgia. At 30 years old, Stastny was a six-year veteran of the DEA, known for his magnetic personality, keen sense of humor, and exuberance for life. He had a track record of taking on dangerous assignments, having previously been shot at by marijuana traffickers in 1985. His commitment to his work was evident, and in September 1986, he received a Sustained Superior Performance Award for his outstanding efforts in investigating major cocaine organizations.
The fateful incident occurred on January 20, 1987, while Stastny was engaged in an undercover operation in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. He had arranged to purchase a pound of cocaine from a suspect in the parking lot of a shopping center located at 318 Pharr Road NE. During the negotiation, the situation took a violent turn when the individual he was meeting with brandished a weapon and shot Special Agent Stastny multiple times.
Despite his grievous injuries, Raymond J. Stastny bravely fought for his life for six days. He ultimately succumbed to the gunshot wounds on January 26, 1987. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, other officers on the scene responded swiftly, and the suspect who had shot Stastny was shot and killed. As a result, there were no subsequent arrests or trials in connection with his death.
Raymond J. Stastny was survived by his wife, Valerie. In recognition of his ultimate sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Honor, a testament to his bravery and dedication to law enforcement. His colleagues and loved ones remembered him not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his vibrant personality and his passion for his favorite New York sports teams, which he continued to follow even after his assignment to Atlanta.
