Thomas Charles Tripodi, 67, a former narcotics agent and inspector with the Drug Enforcement Agency who wrote a book about his undercover work in Sicily and who also was an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, died of cancer Aug. 13 at his home in Thurmont, Md.
A specialist in organized crime and the Mafia, Mr. Tripodi was assigned to Italy in the 1970s. He later published his autobiography, "Crusade," detailing his work as director of several task forces abroad and subsequent prosecutions in the United States.
Mr. Tripodi began his career as an agent with the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in New York in the 1960s. He later was posted to Washington, Baltimore and Miami. After retiring from the DEA in 1985, he worked for the CIA for six years. After that, he was a consultant to the FBI, DEA and CIA.
Mr. Tripodi was born in Cliffside Park, N.J. He was a graduate of Villanova University and served in the Army in Germany.
In retirement, he was a volunteer football and track coach at Catoctin High School in Thurmont.
He was a member of the University Club in Washington, the Association of Former Federal Narcotics Agents and St. Anthony's Catholic Shrine in Emmitsburg, Md.
His marriage to Susan Wells ended in divorce.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Markey Tripodi of Thurmont; four children from his first marriage, Christopher Tripodi of Bowie, Cathleen W. Tripodi of Aspen, Colo., Cara Tripodi of Philadelphia and Matthew Colin Tripodi of Arlington; his father, Charles Tripodi of Flemington, N.J.; a brother; and a grandchild.