WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- When Gregg Wenzel died six years ago in Ethiopia , the obituaries said he was a U.S. Foreign Service officer killed by a drunken driver on the streets of Addis Ababa . CIA Director Leon Panetta spoke Monday at a ceremony commemorating fallen CIA officers . Monday the public learned the State Department job was a cover for his real occupation : CIA spy . At a ceremony commemorating those who died in the line of duty , CIA Director Leon Panetta revealed Wenzel 's affiliation with the agency and noted Wenzel was a member of the first clandestine service class to graduate after the September 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks . `` He helped unite the class and kept its spirits high in the toughest moments , '' Panetta said . Wenzel left his job as an attorney to join the agency . He was 33 years old when the car he was riding in was hit by a drunken driver who to this day remains a fugitive . There are now 90 stars prominently displayed on the memorial wall in the spacious atrium of CIA headquarters , each commemorating an officer , like Wenzel , who died while serving the country . The 90th star was added recently , but as with most of the victims , the person 's name and nature of service will remain unknown to the public so as not to compromise secret operations . At the annual memorial service attended by hundreds of employees , retirees and family members , Panetta paid homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country . `` Their patriotism and leadership , courage and decency are models for all of us , '' said the director , adding , `` their work is our work now . And their spirit abides with us . '' Panetta also announced the beginning of a new tradition . Family members of the fallen officers will receive a replica of the star from the wall . The first star was given to the brothers of Douglas Mackiernan , the first CIA operations officer killed in the line of duty , shot to death in Tibet after fleeing China in 1950 .
Gregg Wenzel died six years ago in Ethiopia . Obituaries said he was a U.S. Foreign Service officer killed by a drunken driver . At ceremony for fallen CIA officers , CIA Director revealed Wenzel was a CIA spy .