Agent Terry honored today at Detroit funeral

Posted: Dec 22, 2010 12:53 PM
Updated: Dec 22, 2010 12:54 PM

Video on webpage, 1:45 length

DETROIT - A funeral was held today for the U.S. Border Patrol agent killed in the line of duty last week.

Brian Terry was with three other agents tracking several suspects last Tuesday night. They were near Rio Rico, in Peck Canyon - not far from Interstate 19 in Santa Cruz County.

Gunfire was exchanged, and Agent Terry was killed. The other agents were not hurt, but one of the five suspects was wounded. Investigators have four suspects in custody, and still looking for a fifth.

Today, he's being buried in Detroit, Michigan. It was a very emotional and long funeral, with a number of friends, co-workers and even some of the nation's top officials taking to the microphone to honor Agent Terry's death - but more importantly, his life.

Agent Terry's body was led into the church in Detroit by a band of bagpipes, followed by songs, poems and prayers.

Emotion and tears poured out from the people who spoke about him, describing who he was, but perhaps the best description came from him. A letter was read to the congregation, written by Brian Terry when asked to describe himself.

"You may defeat me, but you will be lucky to escape with your life. You may kill me, but I'm willing to die in necessary," recited Sgt. Dan Boeman from the letter. "what I do fear is the loss of my honor. I would rather die fighting, rather than have it said that I was without courage. So I will fight you no matter how insurmountable it may seem."

Everyone talked about his dedication, commitment and passion for defending his country. One man even said that if Agent Terry knew what was going to happen that night - he still would have put the uniform on and went out.

http://www.kvoa.com/news/agent-terry-ho ... t-funeral/