John W. Hale was born February 10, 1946 in Louisiana. He enlisted in the US Army and did three tours on the front lines in Vietnam.

He later came to U.S, Customs as a Customs Patrol Officer (CPO) and later became a Customs Special Agent and Senior Special Agent for the SAC Los Angeles.

John was an intricate part of Operation Casablanca, the largest drug money laundering case in U.S. history. He was fearless in his execution of search warrants and high-risk arrests, often asked to be the first agent in the door.

John retired from Customs in 2004 and settled in the New Orleans, Louisiana area. After the hurricane struck his hone, he left and settled permanently in Las Cruces New Mexico, where he enjoyed a quiet and private life. John passed away the evening of April 3rd, 2024 while in hospice care and was later cremated.

Above all John was an admired and highly respected man with a great sense of humor. He is survived by his wonderful wife, Valalita Hale, a retired California Highway Patrolman (CHP) and multiple siblings. He will be missed by many, most especially his colleagues on the Omega Task Force in LA, from which Casablanca emanated. The family has solicited no donations and it is their desire there not be any memorial for John.