EMPIRE STATE HONOR FOR SLAIN DEA OFFICER

By MURRAY WEISS

The Empire State Building was lit in bright red yesterday to commemorate the 20th "Red Ribbon Week" honoring hero undercover Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was slain by Mexican drug lords.

Born in a Mexican barrio, Camarena emigrated with his family to the United States and worked picking peaches and plums before graduating college as a top student and athlete.

He joined the Marines and then the DEA to help fight the war on drugs.

In 1985, with his undercover work among Mexican drug fiends nearly complete, his identity was blown, and he was kidnapped and killed.

After his tragic death, friends wore red ribbons in his memory and eventually launched the nation's largest drug-prevention program aimed at kids.

Source: NY Post