While six extradited Colombians have been arraigned and await trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on charges related to the murder of DEA Special Agent James “Terry” Watson in Bogota last summer, the DEA Survivor Benefit Fund dedicated a memorial this summer to Special Agent Watson in his home town of Rayville, LA.
Farther west, past investment by the SBF Higher Education Fund bore particularly poignant fruit when Enrique Camarena, Jr. was appointed to a judgeship on the San Diego Superior Court in July 15th. Judge Camarena was 11 years old when his father DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered by Mexican drug cartel members in February 1985.
Like Special Agent Terry Watson, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena lived a full life of bravery and service. He was born in Mexicali, Mexico, but his family moved to the United States in Calexico, California. He became a naturalized U. S. citizen and served in the Marines, as a firefighter and police investigator before joining DEA.
His son at an early age made a commitment to follow in his father’s footsteps. With the support of the DEA Survivors Benefit Fund he went to law school and became a Deputy District Attorney for San Diego County. He has also been active in the work of the Camarena Foundation and in contributing to the efforts to support other children who have lost a father or mother who were killed in the line of duty.
No doubt Judge Camarena’s father was in his and his family’s memories as he received his robe to the Superior Court bench.
