Prince William County Honors Forrest N. Leamon

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, Special Agent Forrest Nelson Leamon’s name was recently added to the Prince William County War Memorial which honors Prince William County residents who died in combat.

Leamon died in a helicopter crash on Oct 26, 2009 during his third deployment to Afghanistan. He and two other DEA special agents, along with seven U.S. soldiers, were on a joint, covert mission to combat drug trafficking as part of the Forward Deployed Advisory Support Team, or FAST, program. All 10 died on the mission and are buried together at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, is set aside to remember those who died while serving the country in the U.S. military. Many remember by visiting cemeteries and memorials and by attending Memorial Day ceremonies or parades to recall those who perished.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair at-Large Ann Wheeler, Vice-Chair Margaret Angela Franklin, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega, and Neabsco District Supervisor Victor S. Angry gave remarks during a Memorial Day ceremony at the McCoart Government Center on Friday, May 27, 2022.

"While Memorial Day is a day to remember all of the brave men and women who fell in combat, today we have the solemn duty to remember Forrest Nelson Leamon one of Prince William County’s own.” Vega said.

Growing up in Potter Valley about 15 miles from Ukiah, Calif., Leamon was involved in the 4-H program, youth baseball and high school football, according to his obituary posted in the Ukiah Daily Journal in November 2009.

Leamon’s name is also included on memorials in El Paso, Texas, the DEA’s Fallen Heroes Memorial, a memorial in Potter Valley and another in Afghanistan, Leamon’s mother Sue Leamon said. “When the DEA opened a new building for their regional headquarters in New Mexico, they named the complex after him.”

“He was very caring person, very friendly and he loved the outdoors. He especially loved to fish. He was pretty smart. From what I could tell he was a good leader. Forrest was a Christian too. I’m glad that Forrest is going to be honored one more time,” Sue Leamon said.

Leamon attended Mendocino College, in Mendocino County, California before enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he served in naval intelligence and achieved the rank of petty officer first class. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, Leamon joined the DEA as a Special Agent in 2002.

In 2008, Leamon married Ana Laura Lopez and they moved to Woodbridge soon after they were married. They were expecting their first child when Leamon died.

Leamon is also survived by his father, Richard Leamon, of Fortuna, Calif., sister Heather Leamon of Burney, Calif., sister Wai Leamon of Redding, Calif., nephews William, Alan, Andrew and niece Rayah Leamon all of Burney, Calif., his grandmother Arlene Oldham of Citrus Heights, Calif., as well as aunts, uncles and cousins

“The family would like the opportunity to thank Prince William County for including Forrest on the memorial. He was an exceptional person who is greatly missed, especially for his kind and caring ways,” Sue Leamon said. “He was diligent in all that he did and could be counted on to complete tasks in the best way possible. He was brave and not afraid to take on difficult and dangerous assignments which ultimately led to his complete sacrifice. His selfless example continues to inspire us today.” 

Angry reminded people of the true meaning of the day. “Memorial Day is more than hamburgers, hotdogs and parties. It is a day intended for remembrance and reflection. So let us never forget those who laid down their lives serving the greatest nation on earth.”  

“As I stand here, I am reminded of those who served all over the world and sacrificed their lives fighting in wars throughout the years to keep us safe at home,” Wheeler said. “This day gives us a chance to reflect and honor these fallen heroes for their patriotism and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good and to defend a nation tested by war, as well as reflect on the cost and blessings of liberty. Thank you to those who answered our nation’s call to duty and made the ultimate sacrifice for the land of the free and the home of the brave.”