Thread: Final respects paid to fallen ICE agent Jaime Zapata

ICE agent laid to rest at solemn service
February 22, 2011 9:53 PM
By EMMA PEREZ-TREVINO, The Brownsville Herald

The final call by dispatch to ICE Special Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata came shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday.

[b] “Alpha 5195, this is sector,â€

Valley police chiefs speak about Jaime Zapata case

WITH VIDEO at source link

It's rare to see McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez struggle with words, but on Tuesday he was so emotional that he could hardly get a word out wth out getting emotional.

Chief Rodriguez was among hundred of law enforcement officials to attended the funeral mass to remember slain U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jaime Zapata.

The Brownsville native was killed in the line of duty in Mexico where another agent was also wounded.

"There are two things that come to mind,â€

Final respects paid to fallen ICE agent Jaime Zapata

WITH VIDEO

They came from near and far to give condolences to the family of slain U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jaime Zapata, even as far as Washington, D.C.

"To the Zapata family, please know all of us stand with you in grief and sadness, the President stands with you," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Napolitano told a crowd of hundreds inside the Brownsville Events Center and hundreds outside watching on a jumbotron that Zapata’s sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Other dignitaries speaking at the funeral mass were Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton and US Attorney General Eric Holder.

"We will win the struggle, this is our pledge to you," said Holder Tuesday morning.

Zapata's flag draped coffin was moved to the Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens where a sea of agents were standing by for a final salute to their comrade.

Among the mourners, Zapata's neighbors whose son was close friends with the ICE agent before passing away last year.

"He suffered from cancer and Jaime came over to his burial 6 months ago," said Hector Zamarripa.

He and his wife now stand by the Zapata family in their time of need.

"They were good guys, always happy, gonna be together now," He said.

Napolitano and Holder did not make it out to the cemetery.

Zapata's neighbors waited until after the burial services to walk over to the fallen ICE agent's gravesite to pay respects to him.

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=584523

Federal leaders promise justice
February 22, 2011 9:51 PM
By LAURA B. MARTINEZ, The Brownsville Herald

Members of the Obama Administration on Tuesday vowed to continue their search for those responsible for the attack on ICE Special Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata and his partner, Victor Avila, last week in Mexico.

Their statements, made at the funeral Mass for Zapata, a Brownsville native who was shot and killed by drug cartel members, renewed the country’s commitment to seek justice.

“We will not relent, or flinch, or let up in any way in our determination to see that those responsible for his death are held to account for their crimes,â€