U.S. Marshals Service Awards Purple Heart to Southern Florida Task Force Officer

Fort Pierce, FL – A local United States Marshal Service (USMS) deputy was awarded a Purple Heart during a ceremony Friday at the Alto Lee Adams, Sr. United States Courthouse.

USMS Director Gadyaces S. Serralta presented the Purple Heart to Senior Inspector (SI) Daniel Varroney of the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) for injuries sustained in the line of duty.

On March 3, 2026, SI Varroney was leading an arrest team charged with the apprehension of Thomas Steffens who was wanted by the Grand Junction, Colorado Police Department for multiple counts of Sexual Assault. A collateral lead request was sent to the USMS FCRFTF from the District of Colorado Marshal's to locate and apprehend Steffens who fled to Vero Beach, FL.

Steffens was believed to be armed and had made statements regarding not being taken alive by law enforcement.

At approximately 8:30 pm, SI Varroney and his team located Steffens at a business in Vero Beach, FL. For safety reasons, they waited for Steffens to enter a vehicle with a known associate and depart the business. Once clear of innocent civilians, SI Varroney and his team pulled the vehicle over.

SI Varroney and his team removed the driver from the vehicle who advised them that Steffens was armed with a firearm. Despite numerous attempts to de-escalate the situation and gain compliance from Steffens, he emerged from the vehicle with a firearm and engaged SI Varroney and his team with gunfire.

SI Varroney was struck by a bullet in his lower right leg and also sustained a shot to his chest which did not penetrate his body armor. SI Varroney was evacuated by team members to a local hospital for emergency treatment of his wounds.

Steffens was struck by multiple rounds fired by the arrest team and evacuated to a trauma center for surgery.

“Senior Inspector Varroney showed extraordinary heroism in helping bring a dangerous fugitive to justice. His willingness to risk his life shows his commitment to protecting others and affirms the daily risks our deputies take every day across the Nation. His bravery reflects the highest standards of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta.