Raymond Stastny

Raymond J. Stastny, a dedicated and respected Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, was known for his magnetic personality, keen sense of humor, and an infectious exuberance for life. At 30 years old, the white male agent was a six-year veteran of the DEA, committed to the dangerous work of combating drug trafficking. A graduate of the State University of New York with a degree in criminal justice, he began his career with the DEA in July 1980 as a diversion investigator in New York before becoming a special agent in 1983 and transferring to the Atlanta Field Division. Friends and colleagues remembered his passion for his favorite New York sports teams, which he continued to follow closely even after his assignment to Atlanta. He was survived by his wife, Valerie.

Stastny’s career was marked by bravery and distinction. He was no stranger to the perils of his profession, having been shot at by marijuana traffickers during an operation in 1985. His outstanding efforts in targeting major cocaine organizations earned him a Sustained Superior Performance Award in September 1986, just a few months before his death. His commitment to his work was a defining characteristic, leading him to take on challenging and high-risk investigations aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics.

On the evening of January 20, 1987, Special Agent Stastny was engaged in a dangerous undercover operation in Buckhead, an upscale neighborhood of Atlanta. He had arranged to purchase one pound of cocaine from a suspect, setting up a meeting in the parking lot of a shopping center at 318 Pharr Road NE. During the negotiation, the transaction turned violent. The individual Stastny was meeting with suddenly brandished a weapon and shot the agent multiple times.

Other officers, part of the surveillance and support team for the undercover buy, responded immediately to the gunfire. In the ensuing confrontation, the suspect who had shot Stastny was shot and killed by the other officers at the scene. Because the assailant died during the incident, no arrests were made in connection with Special Agent Stastny's shooting, and the case did not proceed to a trial.

Despite being gravely wounded, Raymond Stastny fought for his life for six days. He was rushed from the scene to a hospital, where he received intensive medical care. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries on January 26, 1987. His death was a profound loss to his family, friends, and the law enforcement community he had served with honor.

In the wake of his death, Special Agent Raymond J. Stastny was remembered for his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He was posthumously awarded the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association's Medal of Honor, a testament to his courage and unwavering dedication. His name is inscribed on memorials honoring fallen officers, ensuring his bravery is not forgotten. A former colleague on the DEA softball team in Atlanta fondly recalled their friendship, playing ball together and sharing beers after games, a memory that highlighted the vibrant life that was cut short. As of early 1987, the investigation into Stastny's death was closed, as his killer was killed at the scene.