Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Special Agent Fernandez.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 20, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 27, 2020

Agent Fernandez,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and the other Agents on that plane with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 27, 2019

Worked with Frank in Peru.A great Agent,gentleman,bright future ahead of him.terrible loss along with Jay,Carlos,Meredith,Jay and Frank.They remain with me everyday.RIP,stud warriors

WEDjr
DEA Special Agent Pilot

April 10, 2018

Agent Fernandez,
On today, the 23rd anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you to you and your fellow Agents who were on that plane with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 27, 2017

My beloved Frankie, not a day goes by without my thinking about you and the love we shared. Last time we communicated through a medium you told her you were my husband and that we have a special lock of love. We have traveled many lives together and will continue to do so. You are my soul mate and we will meet again to continue to travel many more lives together. Love you and always will. You are forever in my mind and heart. Your loving wife.

Anonymous
Soul mate

May 11, 2016

Frankie was a man who lived life to its fullest. I met him through one of his co-workers in San Diego when I was a young lady and I fell head over heels for him from the first time we interacted.

At the time, I interned as a drug and alcohol counselor while finishing college, so we had something in common and we engaged in long and intense conversations about the subject.

We had a short-lived but intense romance, but after all, everything Frankie did was intense! We both had a love for music and it is because of him I fell in love with Salsa and merengue, we used to dance until we couldn't dance anymore!!!

I remember thanking my girlfriend who introduced him to me to her because he was everything I always wanted in a man and she responded by saying Frankie had thanked her husband for introducing us! We connected in so many levels, but life should have it that he left this earth too soon!

After 21 years of his departure, I cherish the memories of that beautiful romance and still visit the places in San Diego that he and I frequented. I have visited this memorial page so many times in the past and finally got the courage to pay my respects.

Frankie, you hold a very special place in my heart and always will. You are forever in my mind and in my heart!

Maria C. Becerra
Personal

September 11, 2015

Memorial for Frank Fernandez, Jr.

Those of us who had the opportunity to know Franky, knew he had a great sense of humor. He was always trying to make you laugh. When he would visit us in New York he would body surf down the stairs to make us laugh.

When Franky was assigned to Puerto Rico, we had occasion to visit the Island. Franky came by my parent's house who he had met in New York. Franky, again eager to make us laugh proceeded to place his tactical vest on my father who was shirtless, which led us all to uncontrollable laughter. To visualize why we went into an uncontrolled laughter you must understand that, my father was of small stature and physic, i.e. ; He looked like a child wearing his parent's clothing believing it fit.

Franky is /should be remembered for how much he loved life. He sky-dived, para-sailing and played Salsa music on his Trombone. He enjoyed life and making his friends and family members laugh.

Franky came to Earth on August 1, 1956 and departed Earth August 27, 1994.

This is the 20th year of Frank's departure from earth. We miss him now as much as when he 1st left. We shall always remember Franky for making us laugh.

Rubén E. González
Associate Special Agent in Charge (Ret).
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of Investigations

Psalm 18:34-39...
“He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms...I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise:
they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle...”

Associate SAC Ruben E. Gonzalez
U S DHS Office of Investigations

August 7, 2014

I served with Frank in New York City and a snowcap tour in Bolivia as his back-up supervisor. Frank was a good friend and outstanding Agent.

Several years after the tragic accident I was TDY in D.C. my 1st stop was at the Law Enforcement Memorial where I scribed Frank's name. I proudly have it displayed in my home as a reminder of him and the sacrifices made to stop drug addiction.

Supervisory Special Agent (Ret) Bill Han
DEA

July 15, 2014

Memorial for Frank Fernandez, Jr.

Those of us, who had the opportunity to know Franky, knew he had a great sense of humor. He was always trying to make you laugh. When he would visit us in New York he would body surf down the stairs to make us laugh.

When Frankie was assigned to Puerto Rico, we had an occasion to visit the Island. Frankie came by my parent's house who he had met in New York. Frankie, again eager to make us laugh proceeded to place his tactical vest on my father who was shirtless, which led us all too uncontrollable laughter. To visualize why we went into an uncontrolled laughter you must understand that, my father was of a small stature and physic, i.e.; He looked like a child wearing his parent's clothes believing they fit.

Frankie is /should be remembered for how so much. He enjoyed life and making his friends and family members laugh.

Frankie came to Earth on August 1, 1956 and departed Earth August 27, 1994.

We shall always remember Frankie for making us laugh.

Psalm 18:34-39...“He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms...I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle...”


Peru Airplane Crash
Not just an accident

On August 27, 1994, during a routine reconnaissance mission near Santa Lucia,
Peru, a DEA airplane carrying five special agents crashed, killing all aboard.
The DEA special agents were assigned to Operation Snowcap, which had provided support and training for Peruvian and Bolivian law enforcement personnel between1987 and 1994. The crash site was 15 miles west of Santa Lucia, an airstrip in the foothills of the Andes Mountains of western Peru in the Upper Huallaga River Valley, where much of the world's coca leaves for cocaine were grown. They were searching for clandestine drug operations in an area that is known for its multitude of laboratories and airstrips. The DEA transport plane had been traveling from Santa Lucia when it lost contact with air traffic control.
The DEA, the Peruvian Air Force, the Peruvian Police, and U.S. Special Forces
teams assigned to Peru joined in the search for the lost aircraft. On August 28
they were scouring the area around Puerto Piana, about 285 miles northeast of
Lima, when they spotted the wreckage of the twin-engine cargo aircraft. A
six-man search team began hacking through the jungle but was slowed by heavy
rains and nightfall. The search team, which included two DEA agents, reached the site on Monday, August 29, and discovered the bodies of the two pilots and the three agents amid the wreckage of the Casa aircraft.

The special agents were: Team Leader/Supervisor Frank Fernandez, Jr., stationed at DEA headquarters; Jay W. Seale, stationed in Los Angeles; Meredith Thompson, stationed at the Miami office; Juan C. Vars, stationed at the San Antonio office; and Frank S. Wallace, Jr., stationed at the Houston office. Their bodies arrived back in the United States on September 3, 1994, on a C-141 transport jet that landed in front of hundreds of family members, friends, and DEA agents, each of whom wore black ribbons over their badges.

"This is just so tragic. They were fine special agents and fine young people,"
DEA Administrator Thomas Constantine said. "For those people who say there is no price to pay for casual drug use, tell that to the families and friends going
through this tragic time." In May 1995, the families of the five special agents
received the Administrator's Award of Honor. This posthumous award recognized
the bravery of Special Agents Wallace, Vars, Thompson, Seale, and Fernandez.

Sonia, Franky’s Mother lost her only son. But God gave her all the other Law Enforcement children of the world.

Rubén E. González
Associate Special Agent in Charge (Ret)
DHS Office of Investigations

Rubén E. González Associate Special Agen
US DHS Office of Investigations

May 1, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 15th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I am sure this was also one of the saddest days in DEA history.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

August 27, 2009

this is to my favorite cousin in the world.
when we were young we spent alot of time together donig the impossible, learning our way through life. I remember
the time we were driving on 42nd st. and he had told me that i needed to get down and dont raise my head above the window, and so i did what he told me to do. but as he was telling me to do this, bullets started flying through the air. I managed to take a quick peek when out of no where a speeding car slammed into the back of the car and rattled me. It all ended with my cousin frankie getting into the car and peeling off after another car. it was a riot. but frankie was always there for me and to me that makes him my big brother. When i get to heaven, I will be standing next to him and God.

ray fuentes
cousin

June 23, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 19, 2008

12 YEARS AGO SPECIAL AGENT FERNANDEZ AND FOUR OTHERS GAVE THEIR LIVES "IN THE LINE OF DUTY". MAY THEY NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
GLB

August 27, 2006

SA Fernandez,

I honor you. Let no law enforcement hero be without a reflection. You are a hero, not only because of how you died, but also, because of how you lived. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 16, 2004

SA Fernandez, I honor you. Let no hero be without a reflection. With brotherly love and respect, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

July 16, 2004