Special Agent Renault Rene Bayhi

Renault Rene Bayhi

Special Agent Renault Bayhi succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during an undercover operation in Brownsville, Texas, on July 20th, 1972.

The operation was taking place at the Holiday Inn on the Expressway Frontage Road in North Brownsville. During a buy/bust operation where Customs agents were buying $164,000 of heroin, the dealer became spooked when he saw people outside the motel room and began firing. Special Agent Bayhi was shot in the right shoulder, suffered spinal injuries, and became paralyzed from the chest down.

The man who shot them was shot and killed by another agent.

Two other Customs Service agents were wounded but recovered from their injuries. Special Agent Bayhi succumbed to complications of his wounds on April 29th, 1975.

Special Agent Bayhi had served with the United States Customs Service for less than one year and had been recognized for his outstanding work before being shot. He was also awarded a Presidential Letter of Commendation by President Nixon, along with the other agents involved in the heroin case. He had previously served with the United States Border Patrol, in Brownsville, Texas, for four years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, son, parents, and three sisters. He was buried at the Pleasant Home Cemetery in Bluff Springs. Florida.