A Family Man, Making Dreams Come True

Agent Robert Rosas’ career in law enforcement began at the age of 21 when he became a corrections officer in the state of California. He also gained experience for two years as an El Centro Police Department reserve officer.

Robert, 30, joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in 2006. Despite the possible dangers inherent in the job, becoming a CBP Agent was a job he had always dreamed of.

Although he took a pay cut to change careers, Robert and his wife Rosalie had managed to build a modest, loving family life in Southern California. In mid-2009, they had been planning their second child’s first birthday party.

Rosalie noted that on one fateful day, Robert forgot something as he left the house for work and upon return, had actually said goodbye to his family for a second time.

It also ended up being the last time.

FBI agents say some individuals were detained by Mexican authorities but it did not lead to any breaks in the case.
Killers Without Borders

Agent Robert Rosas joined Customs & Border Protection in 2006 after leaving a job in corrections.

On July 23, 2009, Agent Rosas was on patrol near Campo, Calif., a rugged region about 60 miles west of El Centro. Around 9 p.m., another agent spotted a group of suspects in a rocky, desolate area along the border. The agents split up to cover more ground as they gave chase.

Agent Rosas got out of his vehicle to track the individuals on foot. His fellow agents heard gunshots and hurried towards the source. There, they found Agent Rosas; he had been shot in the head and body, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Agent Rosas’ weapon -- a black Heckler & Koch P2000 .40-caliber pistol -- had been taken.

From there, the killers’ trails went cold. Cops say the perpetrators are likely Mexican nationals who have remained south of the border.

So far the investigation has yielded no arrests. FBI agents say some individuals were detained by Mexican authorities but it did not lead to any breaks in the case.

CBP, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have all expressed their deep desire to solve this case and bring Robert’s killers to justice.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has said, “This act of violence will not stand -- nor will any act of violence against the Border Patrol.â€