Information from the Customs and Border Protection web site.
http://www.cbp.gov
Border Patrol Agent Killed in Line of Duty in Yuma, Ariz.
(Saturday, January 19, 2008)
contacts for this news release
YUMA, Ariz. – A Border Patrol agent assigned to the Yuma, Ariz. Border Patrol Station was killed in the line of duty Saturday.
About 9:30 AM, a Border Patrol agent working in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area near Andrade, Calif. attempted to stop a suspected smuggler who was believed to have illegally entered the United States. The agent was attempting to deploy a controlled tire deflation device when the suspected smuggler's vehicle struck and killed him. Two vehicles, a brown Hummer and a red Ford F-250 pickup, are suspected in the agent's death.
Both vehicles absconded into Mexico.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigating with full cooperation from other federal, state, and local authorities. Mexican law enforcers and military have also been contacted and are lending full support toward the capture of those involved.
"This is tragic reminder of the dangers our agents face in the line of duty. Despite the ever-present, ever-increasing violence, we will continue to work toward securing America's borders and making our country, our communities safer places to be," said Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. "We mourn the loss of one of our own. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow agents."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
ANOTHER ARTICLE ON THE CBP WEB SITE
Commissioner Message: Death in the Line of Duty
(01/19/2008)It is with great sorrow that Chief David Aguilar and I inform you of the death of Senior Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, of the Yuma, Arizona Border Patrol Station.
Agent Aguilar died in the line of duty today after being struck by a vehicle driven by a suspected narcotics smuggler in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area near Andrade, California.
Agent Aguilar began his career with the United States Border Patrol when he entered on duty July 21, 2002, as a member of the 519th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. Agent Aguilar was assigned to the Yuma Border Patrol Station since his graduation from the Academy.
Agent Aguilar was 32 years old at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and two children. He is also survived by his brother, Senior Patrol Agent Marcos Aguilar, assigned to the Nogales Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector.
Mourning bands are authorized for all uniformed CBP employees from now until the time of interment.
Agent Aguilar's death serves as another stark reminder of the risks our front-line agents and officers face each day as we strive to secure America's borders. This despicable act will only strengthen our resolve to continue securing our borders even in the face of increased violence.
We are already working today with support from many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and the full cooperation of Mexican law enforcement and military authorities to find Agent Aguilar's killers and bring them to justice.
On behalf of the entire US Customs and Border Protection family, Chief Aguilar and I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Agent Aguilar.
W. Ralph Basham
Commissioner
