Events In Honor of
Michael Garbo
DEA Headquarters Wall of Honor
On May 5, 2023, Vida and Alexis Garbo visited the DEA Headquarters to pay tribute to fallen DEA Task Force Officer/Chief Deputy Jody Wayne Cash from Murray, Kentucky. On May 16, 2022, Officer Cash was tragically shot in front of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office while conducting an interview with a suspect. With 22 years of law enforcement experience, he served two years as a deputy with the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, six years with the Calloway County Sheriff's Office, and eight years with the Kentucky State Police, retiring as a sergeant in 2018. Officer Cash graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy in 2011 as the valedictorian of his class. Additionally, he dedicated six years to the Murray State University Police Department, attaining the rank of assistant chief. Task Force Officer Cash's friends will always remember him as a loving, selfless, witty, and adventurous individual.
In memory of Michael, Mrs. Garbo, and their daughter Alexis, make an annual visit to the DEA Headquarters to honor their beloved husband, father, and hero DEA GS Michael Garbo, and to also pay respects to any fallen DEA officers. During their visit they had the privilege of meeting Administrator Ann Milgram, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and many others at the facility.
The Wall of Honor, situated in the DEA Museum's lobby, serves as a central place for reflection. Since 1995, the agency has prominently displayed portraits of the men and women from DEA and its predecessor agencies who lost their lives while on duty. The Wall of Honor stands as a serene space of contemplation, allowing us at the DEA to remember our fallen heroes. Every month, we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for drug law enforcement and our nation.
National Police Week 2023
National Police Week was held in Washington, D.C. to honor courageous heroes who have fallen in the line of duty. National Police Week is a collective effort involving numerous organizations dedicated to paying tribute to the American law enforcement community. Throughout the week, various ceremonies and activities take place to commemorate these individuals.
The events of National Police Week encompass a range of ceremonies which include the US Attorney General Garland Wreath Laying, FBI and ATF Wreath Laying at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the Police Unity Tour, the National K-9 Memorial Service, the Candlelight Vigil, the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, and the Roll Call of Heroes. Many attendees, spanning from past to present, visit the Memorial Wall, where the names of fallen officers are engraved each year.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial serves as a constantly evolving testament to the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers. Every spring, new names of fallen officers are added to the memorial, representing federal, tribal, state, and local officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in safeguarding our nation and its people.
Police Unity Tour 2023
Riding for DEA GS Michael Garbo is Todd Roth
Motto “We ride for those who died”
Vida and Alexis Garbo would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Todd Roth and the Team East Rutherford Officers who participated in the 2023 Police Unity Tour, riding in honor of DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo and ERPD Deputy Chief Phil Taormina. Team East Rutherford - Chapter 10 Monmouth County, NJ was comprised of Lieutenant Mark Mehegan, Sergeant Jason Smith, Officer Cliff Shemely, and Detective Sergeant DEA TFO Todd Roth.
On May 9, 2023, members of the East Rutherford Police Department embarked on a 300-mile bike ride from New Jersey to Washington, DC, in support of the Police Unity Tour. Todd, alongside other dedicated officers, commenced their journey from Belmar, NJ, and over the course of four days, they arrived at their destination in Washington, DC. This year, members of ERPD rode in honor of fallen DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo, preserving his memory, as well as paying tribute to other officers who lost their lives in the line of duty this year. Michael was tragically killed by drug traffickers while conducting a narcotics investigation in Tucson, AZ.
The journey was arduous and demanding, but the participants of the Police Unity Tour had prepared themselves mentally and physically throughout the year. Through fundraising efforts and rigorous training, they recognized that their endeavors raised awareness about the tremendous sacrifices made by countless law enforcement officers.
The final stretch of their tour concluded at the Memorial, where the participants were warmly welcomed by friends, family, and survivors. At this poignant moment, many members of the Police Unity Tour presented remembrance bracelets, worn on their wrists throughout the journey, to the families of the fallen officers.
Todd Roth, who rode in honor of Michael, took the opportunity to share a little about himself and what motivated him to participate in the Police Unity Tour in Michael's memory. Todd revealed that he has been serving as a police officer with the East Rutherford, NJ Police Department since July 2001. About four years later, he was promoted to Detective, and in July 2009, he was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration's New Jersey Division as a Task Force Officer, where he continues to serve.
Upon hearing of Michael's untimely death, the news struck a chord with Todd and many others at the DEA. Being part of a small, tight-knit agency, the news spread rapidly, and although Todd didn't personally know Michael, it deeply affected him. In June 2022, Todd had the privilege of attending an International Narcotics Interdiction Association conference in Nashville, TN, where he had the opportunity to meet Michael's former partner, Sam Johnson.
Sam's heartfelt speech about Michael left a lasting impact on Todd. At the conclusion of the event, Todd patiently waited for Sam at the back of the room, eager to introduce himself and share his experience with the Police Unity Tour. He wanted Sam to know that it would be an absolute honor and privilege for him to undertake the 300-mile journey from New Jersey to Washington, DC, in order to keep Michael's honor and memory alive.
After their conversation, Todd reached out to Mrs. Vida Garbo and Ms. Alexis Garbo. He conveyed his deep sense of honor to be able to participate in the ride in Michael's memory and pay his respects to Michael, Vida, and Alexis. He expressed enduring gratitude for the opportunity to ride for Michael, his fellow DEA brother. Furthermore, Todd stated that this was his second ride and affirmed his commitment to continue participating in the Police Unity Tour for many years to come.
Community Service Award Ceremony
It was a privilege to receive the Community Service Award at the 100th Graduation Ceremony for the Metro Nashville Police Recruits class on May 15, 2023. Captain Tiffany Gibson, Chief John Drake, and Mayor John Cooper recognized Mrs. Vida Garbo and Ms. Alexis Garbo for their creation of the Michael Garbo Foundation to honor the memory and ultimate sacrifice of DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo.
BORDER PATROL JIU JITSU
#MeanGreenJiuJitsuClub
On April 22, 2022, a ceremony was held at the US Border Patrol (Tucson Sector) to honor DEA GS Michael Garbo for his dedication to Brazilian Jiujitsu. Crisantos Rivera, along with other fellow jiujitsu men, women, friends, agents, and the USBP, honored Michael with the hanging of Michael’s Jiujitsu Gi, which Mrs. Garbo and her daughter Alexis presented to BP Agent Rivera earlier in the month.
DEA GS Garbo’s Gi hangs next to fallen BP Agent Neil Anderson’s Gi in the USBP mat room. Everyone who enters the mat room will remember two great men who protected our country but enjoyed their time doing Jiujitsu. Both of these men greatly impacted many fellow men and women. They participated in jiujitsu workouts at the station with other agents. It was the go-to place before
or after their jobs to practice their skills and to keep in shape.
Crisantos Rivera had trained Michael for as long as anyone can remember. He was not only Michael’s trainer but also a mentor and a good friend to him. For Michael, it wasn’t about achieving the belts. It was about friendship, goals, and ensuring he kept in shape.
It was an honor to be part of the celebration for such a great man, not only for the Garbo family but for all his friends, fellow Jiujitsu practitioners, and agents.
“BE BETTER” - Michael Garbo
Basic Agent Training Class #238
On December 16, 2022, Basic Agent Training Class #238 (located at the DEA Training Academy in Stafford, VA) presented Mrs. Vida Garbo and her daughter Alexis Garbo with the memorial “guidon” flag which serves to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of DEA GS Michael Garbo of Sahuarita, AZ made on October 4, 2021.
The tradition of dedicating each BAT class to a fallen colleague began in January 1997 with BAT Class 111. At this ceremony, the Basic Agent Training (BAT) class honorably pledges to carry the guidon (flag) for the remainder of the class's training period. This solemn ceremony knits our future to our past and to those that we have lost.
Along with the beautifully displayed guidon flag, they also presented a shadow box containing GS Garbo’s career milestones, including Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and his career with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Within the display, it included 42 bullets for each BA graduating class agent, along with the 4 class counselors, and 2 class coordinators.
Vida and Alexis presented the shadow box to SAC Apolonio(Polo)Ruiz Jr. The shadow box will be displayed at the DEA building that was dedicated in memory of GS Michael Garbo.
National Police Week 2022 (May 11 - 17)
National Police Week is celebrated annually on May 15th per the 1962 proclamation signed by late President John F. Kennedy. This order states that men and women shall honor the courageous men and women who risk their lives daily in the line of duty (past and present). May 15th be designated as the national "Peace Officers Memorial Day."
During police week, law enforcement agencies, family, friends, and colleagues from across the nation come to Washington, DC, for a number of observances to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of our communities.
Included in these observances this year (May 2022) was Group Supervisor Michael Garbo; his name was forever etched on the granite wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial in Memorial Park, Washington D.C. Among Garbo. Six hundred nineteen other officers were added to this wall; all lost their lives in the line of duty.
SAC Cheri Oz (Phoenix, AZ) “Having Agent Garbo memorialized on the wall is something I don’t know that we’ll ever be able to put into words how that feels.”
Among the significant events included the Black and Blue Bike tour, part of the Police Unity Tour. For the past 25 years, law enforcement members and the survivors of those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty have come from all over the United States to unite for this ride that pays tribute to fallen law enforcement heroes. The annual ride starts in New Jersey and ends in D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. For 2022, riding for Agent Garbo was Tim Phillips from Harriman, TN. Mr. Phillips has been riding for the Police Unity Tour since 2007 and states it was an honor to ride for Agent Garbo.
All newly engraved names on the memorial are formally dedicated during the Annual Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall lawn. The names of the fallen are read aloud during the Candlelight Vigil to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This year 619 names of fallen officers were read during the ceremony by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. DEA Administrator Ann Milgram read DEA GS Michael G. Garbo’s name.
The official National Peace Officers Memorial is held at the Nation’s Capital, where over 500 families place carnations on these memorial wreaths to wrap up the week of activities.
After each name was called and each carnation was placed on the wreath, each family received “The Supreme Sacrifice Medal of Honor.” Each wreath is then relocated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial for the wreath-laying ceremony to be displayed for all who enter to remember these outstanding men and women.
Headquarters
On May 12, 2022, the DEA held a presentation at the Drug Enforcement Administration Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Recent fallen DEA agents were recognized with videos that encompassed their lives. Each family was presented with plaques from the administration to show their gratitude for their loved one's commitment to their country and agency.
After the presentation, in a private ceremony, those in attendance gathered to honor Special Agent Michael G. Garbo, Special Agent Thomas J. Byrne, and Detective Stephen C. Arnold. Their names were added to the DEA’s Wall of Honor. During this ceremony, Michael Garbo's family revealed a plaque containing a portrait of GS Garbo and had the opportunity to lay roses at the altar to honor his legacy being recognized.
Established in 1995, The DEA Wall of Honor has recognized the men and women in Drug Enforcement and its predecessor agencies who have laid down their lives to protect the American people. The Wall of Honor is located in the DEA Museum’s lobby at DEA HQ for everyone to admire when they walk in the front doors.
Michael Garbo Jiu-Jitsu Event
The Michael Garbo Foundation along with Daimyo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu held its first fundraiser on October 8, 2022. It was filled with love, friends and support for Michael’s Foundation. We thank everybody who came out and participated, and to those who donated online who could not attend.
Through the Michael Garbo Foundation we will be able to provide Jiu-Jitsu Scholarships to kids and teens that would benefit from being in a positive environment like the DAIMYO ACADEMY.
"LETS KEEP MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THROUGH JIU-JITSU”