Border Patrol agent fatally shot near Campo
Posted on Friday, July 24 @ 13:23:00 EDT
Topic: Border Patrol American US Security
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 Border Patrol agent fatally shot near Campo
By Debbi Baker
Union-Tribune Staff Writer
Originally published 7:35 a.m. July 24, 2009,
updated 9:42 a.m., July 24, 2009
SAN DIEGO — An international manhunt is under way after a U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed near Campo on Thursday night while investigating a group of people presumed to have crossed into the country illegally.
He has been identified as Robert Rosas, Homeland Security officials said. He was stationed in Campo.
An agent saw the group sometime between 8:30 and 9 p.m. in the remote and rocky terrain south of state Route 94 off Shockey Truck Trail not far from the border, Border Patrol Agent Daryl Reed said.
He called for other agents, who split up and began to trail the group, Reed said.
TOPICS: Illegal Immigrati0on, Illegal Immigrants, Mexico , U.S. Border Patrol, Campo, Agent Robert Rosas
About 9:15 p.m., agents, who had lost radio contact with their fellow agent, heard multiple gunshots and rushed to the area, where they found that he had been shot, Reed said.
Officials said Rosas was shot in the head. He died at the scene.
Several agencies responded to the shooting, including the Sheriff's Department, the FBI and Cal Fire. A large-scale search by land and air was conducted, but no one in the group was found, Reed said.
Mexican authorities were also notified and conducted a search on their side of the border, Reed said. It's unknown if the group was smuggling humans or drugs or if the people fled back to Mexico or continued traveling inside the United States, Reed said.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said she was deeply saddened by Rosas' death and issued the following statement: “Agent Robert Rosas was gunned down while protecting our nation's Southwest border. This act of violence will not stand – nor will any act of violence against the Border Patrol. I have directed that the full resources of the Department assist in the investigation to find and bring to justice those responsible for this inexcusable crime.
“My thoughts and condolences are with Agent Rosas' family and his fellow agents at this difficult time. I want to commend those in the law enforcement and first responder community in Southern California for so quickly responding to the scene and attempting to save Agent Rosas' life. His death is a vivid reminder that we are engaged in a serious effort to secure our border and that thousands of Border Patrol agents and other DHS employees risk their lives every single day to protect and defend our nation.”
Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Carlsbad, said the slaying is a wake up call and that is was only matter of time before the violence related to illegals and drugs crossed over the border along with the smugglers.
He cautioned anyone who has taken cheap shots at the agency to remember that the slain agent gave his life for a tough, dangerous and frustrating job.
“This agent died in the service of his country,” Bilbray said. “He is another fallen hero in the battle to address the problems down there.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said the thoughts and prayers of the entire region are with the family and friends of the fallen agent.
“Every day, our nation's Border Patrol agents stand on the front lines of the effort to keep our country and communities safe. They knowingly put their well-being in harm's way and in some cases make the ultimate sacrifice. What happened last night was a tragedy and a painful acknowledgment that at any time, our Border Patrol agents may be put into an extraordinary circumstance.
FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth said his agency is investigating the killing with the Sheriff's Department, the Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Twenty Border Patrol agents in the San Diego sector have died in the line of duty since 1925. The sector includes six stations near the border and one in San Clemente and Murrieta.
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Note: Agent Rosas had served with the Border Patrol for three years. He is survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, and 11-month-old daughter.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Agent Rosas' faminly and loved ones.
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