PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. 20, 2008

U.S. Agent Killed At Border Identified

Was Hit By Suspected Smuggler's Vehicle Trying To Flee Into Mexico

  • Fellow officers mourn over the body of an agent reportedly hit by a fleeing vehicle in dunes. Photo

    Fellow officers mourn over the body of an agent reportedly hit by a fleeing vehicle in dunes.  (yumasun.com)

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(AP)  A U.S. Border Patrol agent killed after being struck by a fleeing vehicle along the border in southeastern California was identified Sunday as a 32-year-old husband and father of two.

Senior Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar was trying to stop a suspected smuggler who had illegally entered the country from Mexico when he was hit, according to Agent Michael Bernacke, a spokesman for the agency's Yuma sector.

The incident happened in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area about 20 miles west of Yuma at about 9 a.m. Saturday.

Bernacke said Aguilar was trying to place spike strips in the path of a Hummer and a Ford pickup truck on Interstate 8 when the suspected smuggler's vehicle hit and killed him.

Both vehicles fled into Mexico.

The FBI is leading the investigation, along with other federal, state and local authorities. Bernacke said Mexican authorities also have been contacted and that they are lending their full support to capture those involved.

"Today we mourn the loss of one of our own," Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar said in a statement. "This serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers our agents face every day while securing our nation's border and our way of life."

Bernacke said Aguilar was from El Paso, Texas and lived in Yuma with his family.

After a phone call was placed to Aguilar's home, family members declined to comment through a man who identified himself only as Border Patrol Agent Ruiz.

"They're still not strong enough to make any comments," Ruiz said. "He (Aguilar) was a terrific guy and everyone here took a big loss. We're all trying to cope, especially the family. We're trying to be as supportive as we can, and be here for them."

The Imperial Sand Dunes are the largest dunes in California, extending north of the border for 40 miles and averaging five miles wide.

The area is popular with off-road vehicle enthusiasts but also is frequently used by smugglers trying to bring people or drugs into the country from Mexico.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Add a Comment See all 153 Comments
by olebd January 20, 2008 2:18 PM PST
Wouldn''t it be nice if the media gave us real facts such as how many illegals are responsible for crimes within our borders? The numbers would be staggering I am sure of it.

Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 3:37 PM PST
keep hiring illegals, keep buying drugs, it''s all about supply and demand...cheers!!
Reply to this comment
by jumkey January 20, 2008 3:46 PM PST
Really olebd? You think someone who is working in this country without papers is more likely to commit crimes?

Have you ever had an IQ test? I bet *that* number wouldn''t be so staggering.

Reply to this comment
by vastr-wcon January 20, 2008 3:48 PM PST

.
The mexican government provides support and encouragement to the 5-10,000 daily invaders of our country, it does nothing to stop the attacks on our Boarder Patrol agents from their side of the boarder, and it is equally unhelpful in stopping the flow of drugs from the cartels - which ultimately fund the corrupt mexican government.

These acts of war by mexico must be addressed by the full power of the United States.

.
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 4:02 PM PST
Jun key, what is your point? Call me another low IQ poster, but are you suggesting that it is obvious that those breaking our laws about visas would also break other laws, or that you don''t see a connection?
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 4:19 PM PST
These acts of war by mexico must be addressed by the full power of the United States.

Posted by VastR-WCon at 03:48 PM : Jan 20, 2008

ROTFLMFAO!!!!! Acts of war!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! Want to invade Mexico with the Army? LOLOLOLOLOL!!!
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 4:22 PM PST
Really olebd? You think someone who is working in this country without papers is more likely to commit crimes?

Have you ever had an IQ test? I bet *that* number wouldn''''t be so staggering.

Posted by jumkey at 03:46 PM : Jan 20, 2008

Absolutely and I believe they are even LESS likely because the vast vast vast majority did not come here to be criminals, they came for work and because they want to keep a low profile to avoid being deported.
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 4:24 PM PST
God what do we have to do short of war with Mexico? Here in Phoenix, AZ we protest by the hundreds against illegal insurgents that tried to shut down an American business. Now we are protesting for the shutdown of an illegal insurgent hiring area. All of these illegal activities are supported by our Mayor Gordon and our Police Chief Harris, even after several police officers have been killed by illegals and a serial rapist, deported twice, has been captured.

What are we to do when this illegal insurgency is backed by our own city officials?
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 4:26 PM PST
We are being invaded by foreigners from the Mexican border. If that does not justify a federal response, what does? I''m glad someone finds the situation amusing enough that they can say they are "ROTFLMFAO" but it may not be so funny when the children of Mexican invaders outvote English-speaking United States citizens. We may not even have a button to "press one for English" after they take over Washington.
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 4:29 PM PST
Check out crime statistics in areas where illegal invaders live and work. They are way up, not down. Then look at the illegal invaders from the Mexican border filling up our prisons. You may start to understand the real situation we are facing.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 4:38 PM PST
If WE AMERICANS WEREN''T SO LAZY, WE WOULD BE WORKING THE JOBS THAT THEY "TAKE" FROM US....cheers!!
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 4:44 PM PST
We have a business. We hire only legal United States citizens and follow the laws of our country. We must pay them minimum wage or higher, and pay Social Security taxes and benefits. Our cheating competitors pay illegal invaders less, and the foreign invaders take it because they can live on less when they retire back to Mexico. It is not as simple as lazy Americans.
Reply to this comment
by eeprof January 20, 2008 4:46 PM PST
We don''t need to invade Mexico - how about we just annex them as the 51st state? Then we can use their oil and impose our democratic process on their corrupt little 3rd world country. The new border with Guatemala and Belize will be much easier to defend and I won''t need a passport to go to Cancun.
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 4:52 PM PST
This illegal insurgency is destroying out country just as surely as the insurgents in Iraq were doing in that country until the surge started.

I think we have reached the point where we need militias in each city to protect our citizens. If we don''t defend ourselves from this invasion who will? Our government has failed us and in many cases is supporting the insurgents.

This has got to stop at all costs!
Reply to this comment
by Krazcarl January 20, 2008 4:58 PM PST
Again fine and confiscate the property of anyone or any co. that hires illegals it will go away over night easy simple the only problem is making a policy with a back door so they can get in these rich folks love cheap labor they have control over and they donate heavy to political campains they fear an increase in price of goods and services but the money they save lines thier pockets it does not help the working man period.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 5:00 PM PST
sbbm

I live in Los Angeles and have for several years and in Phoenix for 10 years before that. I work and live around undocumented workers daily. It''s my experience that the vast vast vast majority of them are decent hardworking and honest people who are just trying to make a better life for themselves and families. The exact same reasons my grandparents (on both sides) came here too. Sure some are indeed criminals, but so are some Italians, Irish, Russians, etc. Should we run all of them out because some in their community commit crimes? Of course not. By all means secure the border, but this insane talk of deporting them all is ridiculous and is insulting to a bulk of them who are as decent and hardworking as any other Americans. I''m proud and happy to have them as my neighbors and co-workers.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 5:04 PM PST
I''''m glad someone finds the situation amusing enough that they can say they are "ROTFLMFAO" but it may not be so funny when the children of Mexican invaders outvote English-speaking United States citizens. We may not even have a button to "press one for English" after they take over Washington.

Posted by Meg001 at 04:26 PM : Jan 20, 2008

Hate to break the news to you, but even if you created a miracle and deported every illegal in the country, Hispanic-Americans will still become the majority of people and voters in this country in less then 50 years anyway. That is going to happen, so white Americans had better get used to the idea that we''re not going to be running the show here in the near future.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:07 PM PST
It is not as simple as lazy Americans.
Posted by Meg001...it is my follow american when was the last time you saw a WHITE AMERICAN working da fields?? hmmm think about it...NEXT!!!
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:09 PM PST
so white Americans had better get used to the idea that we''''re not going to be running the show here in the near future.
Posted by SgtRDS ...and as for you my FELLOW AMERICAN you''re an OFFICER MATERIAL!!
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:12 PM PST
This has got to stop at all costs!

Posted by IBGunnyB .. you''re so funny, get your arss outthere and start the REVOLUTION!! or work the FIELDS!!! you coward!!!
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:15 PM PST
SGTRDS

I agree that California will have to be surrendered to Mexico soon. You people have given up the fight as Americans. You also gave up your rights to keep and bear arms which makes it impossible for your citizens to put together a well regulated malitia for your common defense against this invasion.

Maybe the national battle cry will be "Remember California."
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:16 PM PST
We don''''t need to invade Mexico - how about we just annex them as the 51st state? Then we can use their oil and impose our democratic process on their corrupt little 3rd world country. The new border with Guatemala and Belize will be much easier to defend and I won''''t need a passport to go to Cancun.

Posted by eeprof hmmm you''re a smart American!!! money talks *** walks .. hmm I AGREE!!!
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:19 PM PST
by IBGunnyB ...get out there n start the Revolution are ya ready to loose you''re lifestyle? put your money where your mouth is!! NEXT....
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:21 PM PST
sbbm ..who hires ILLEGALS? who consumes DRUGS? capice? NEXT...
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 5:22 PM PST
Maybe the national battle cry will be "Remember California."

Posted by IBGunnyB at 05:15 PM : Jan 20, 2008

As I said, even if you stop all illegal immigration and deport every last illegally here Hispanic, it does not matter. It''s not a matter of surrendering anything, it''s simple math. The population of legally here Hispanic-Americans is growing by leaps and bounds whereas the population of white and black Americans is not. In less then 50 years the majority of people in this country will be Americans of Hispanic descent even if not another single one comes across the border. So, unless you''re prepared to start a white supremacist race war based on ONL:Y race and not citizenship status, then you''re just going to have to accept the reality. the days of white rule in America are disappearing fast and there''s nothing you can do about it. Deal.
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:24 PM PST
UnderDogus

by IBGunnyB ...get out there n start the Revolution are ya ready to loose you''''re lifestyle? put your money where your mouth is!! NEXT....

I''ve already started the revolution. I''m one of the hundreds of Arizonan''s protesting the illegals here in Phoenix and Tucson. I also have several thousand dollars invested in the fight. I face off with Mexican gang bangers, drug runners, and smugglers every week, sometimes on a daily basis.

And by the way, we are already losing our lifestyle!
Reply to this comment
by owlk January 20, 2008 5:31 PM PST
What are they thinking! How can folks just come to our land and annnounce that it''s theirs also! And they speak a different language! Wait a minute...isn''t that what we did??? O yeah, now I remember, we KILLED all the Indians with our "way of life." These mexicans just want to "steal" our lousiest jobs. Hmm...
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:33 PM PST
I''''ve already started the revolution Posted by IBGunnyB ...oh no my friend you dont know what a revolution is !!! when you see soup lines and ANARCHY,now that''s a REVOLUTION!! NEXT!!...
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:34 PM PST
SGTRDS

Many of the people on the front line with me here in Arizona are of Hispanic decent. In case you haven''t figured it out, ILLEGAL IS NOT A RACE!

What makes you think I''m white?

Illegal insurgents are runining the lives of legal Hispanic''s too!
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:35 PM PST
Underdogus

I''ve been in two wars and in many third world countries all around the world. Believe me, I know revolution when I see it. I also know how it starts, and I see that now!
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 5:37 PM PST
SgtRDS is right about the numbers, though why he finds it funny escapes me. It''s over, unless perception of Constitutional law changes. The writers of the Constitution did NOT intend for illegal invaders to have their children granted the right to choose U. S. citizenship. Changing that perception would make a huge dent in new Spanish-speaking citizens whose parents are law-breaking invaders.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:41 PM PST
and I see that now!
Posted by IBGunnyB...go for it, im following the $$$$ sorry....money talks BS WALKS!!!
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:48 PM PST
Underdogus

Here''s the money:

Bullet proof vest $1000
Sig Saur pistol $700
Kel Tek pistol $200
GPS, compass, maps of insurgent trails $300
Radios and cell phone to contact Border Patrol $400
Directly responsible for the capture of 37 illegal insurgents, the closing of an illegal hiring center, the pushing off illegals of the property of a legitimate American businessman $Priceless!!!
Reply to this comment
by jumkey January 20, 2008 5:49 PM PST
Meg001: because being an "illegal" alien isn''t a crime - it''s a civil offense, the penalty for which is deportation.

"Illegal" immigrants aren''t criminals so they are no more likely to commit crimes than anyone else, and as SgtRDS points out they are probably LESS likely to do so given their status.

The vast majority of people who are sneaking across our border are doing so to exchange their labor for money to sent home to their families, an arrangement many many Americans find beneficial as well. Calling this "illegal" doesn''t magically mean these workers are going to steal and robs as well.

olebd: I''ll stop insulting you when you stop posting idiotic racist ***, OK?

You have no idea what the causes, effects or solutions are to illegal immigration - you just want to vent your spleen at some weaker "other" who you have been trained to hate.

So all you deserve is insults.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:50 PM PST
ILLEGAL IS NOT A RACE osted by IBGunnyB .. REALLY? sooo what the fluck are they? from out of space? NEXT!!!
Reply to this comment
by bluescoot47 January 20, 2008 5:51 PM PST
THANK YOU TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE AS BORDER AGENTS FOR DEFENDING OUR BORDERS. I do not have issues with people who are in my country legally. However, I DO HAVE ISSUES with people who are here illegally. If you like our country so much then I suggest you become an American citizen, pay taxes and be a productive contributor of the community you live in and speak English just like the rest of us and treat our Flag and our Country with respect. You DO NOT HAVE any rights or freedoms just because you are here. My grandparent, father, myself & husband, and my children are veterans of this country and have fought for OUR Freedoms and Privelages and I suggest that you go back to where ever you came from and do the same in your own country. Please leave.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 5:51 PM PST
Meg001

A Constitutional change will make no difference. I was speaking about the ones who are already here legally. They are reproducing at a much higher rate the white and black Americans, which is why they''ll be in a majority in the near future. The only way you could possibly stop this from becoming a predominately Hispanic nation would be to declare a race war on all brown people. That''s it. That''s all. It''s not a matter of thinking it''s funny or not or being threatened about it or not. It simply is reality. What''s funny is that anyone thinks there is anything they can do to stop it. THAT''S funny!
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman January 20, 2008 5:52 PM PST
underdogus,,,,, Enlist Coward, Enlist
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 5:53 PM PST
Owik, you may be catching on. We took over this country because we wanted to use the land and resources to support ourselves. We were willing to kill for it, and we built our nation on this land. Now, here come illegal invaders into our country to use the economy already built by U.S. citizens to support themselves. Do you want to give up your job and home to an invading mass of people so they can live better, and you can be conquered?
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 5:56 PM PST
Many of the people on the front line with me here in Arizona are of Hispanic decent. In case you haven''''t figured it out, ILLEGAL IS NOT A RACE!

Posted by IBGunnyB at 05:34 PM : Jan 20, 2008

I''ve heard this claim before. Funny how I''ve lived in the Southwest for nearly 20 years and I have to find one Hispanic-American who is not pro-amnesty as I am. Not a single one.

Oh and I didn''t assume you were white. In fact a made no reference to your race whatsoever. I was just commenting that white people need to get used to the idea that we are not going to be running the country in another generation. Americans of Hispanic descent will be.
Reply to this comment
by Meg003 January 20, 2008 5:56 PM PST
SgtRDS,
You are probably correct. I may have misunderstood the numbers I read to be projections of future illegal immigration. And for the record, it is not the color of people''s skin I object to, it is their willingness to flaunt our laws and the fact that they do not assimilate as Americans, but remain loyal to their old countries. I still think slowing things down would help by giving the legal immigrants time to become loyal Americans and learn the English language.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 5:57 PM PST
MEXICO is the WORLD''s no.9 exporter of crude oil, shipping an average of 1,7 MILLION of barrels per day in 2007, and a top -three supplier to the UNITED STATES and buys roughly 80% of mexican exporter oil...just following the $$ im a businness man...NEXT...
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 5:57 PM PST
Underdogus

Read the posts by SGTRDS. He seems to assume that I am a white guy. Illegal is not a race it is the act of invading my country. So far I have seen Chineese, Panamanian''s, and a lot of Guatemalan''s.
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman January 20, 2008 6:00 PM PST
underdogus,,,, Your point is what ?? We should keep our borders undermanned & stop supporting our Border Patrol as Bush has for Mexican Oil ????
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 6:02 PM PST
I still think slowing things down would help by giving the legal immigrants time to become loyal Americans and learn the English language.

Posted by Meg001 at 05:56 PM : Jan 20, 2008

I agree. As I have said, by all means secure the border. I''m in favor of a secure border. What I''m not in favor of is deportation of the undocumented aliens that are currently here because it''s impractical, inhumane and would in fact damage our economy a great deal even if it could be done. I also get upset when I here some of the more obvious racist things that are said about undocumented people by some here (not you). Far too many people who are opposed to immigration are really terrified at the Browning of America and can''t accept the truth that we are going to become a predominately Hispanic nation no matter what. It is as inevitable as the sunrise.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 6:04 PM PST
Read the posts by SGTRDS.

Posted by IBGunnyB at 05:57 PM : Jan 20, 2008

Oh and it SgtRDS, not SGTRDS in all caps. The proper abbreviation for Sergeant is Sgt. Thank you.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 20, 2008 6:07 PM PST
j-whitman...wait a friggin minute, you no good jihadist supporter, aren''t you one that supports the Palestinians? huh? give the MEXICANS their land!! CALIFORNIA,ARIZONA,TEXAS,COLORADO,NEW MEXICO,the way you support the Palestinians against the JEWS!!!
Reply to this comment
by ibgunnyb January 20, 2008 6:09 PM PST
That''s some mighty petty BS SERGEANT.

Oh and by the way, sorry for reading into your statements that you assumed I was white. You did not say that.

I''m not white, I''m green.
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman January 20, 2008 6:10 PM PST
underdogus,,, Wait a minute Coward ---- Many Jews in Palestine don''t agree with you. ------ ENLIST & SERVE YOUR COUNTRY SO LITTLE GIRLS CAN STAY HOME.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 20, 2008 6:14 PM PST
I''''m not white, I''''m green.

Posted by IBGunnyB at 06:09 PM : Jan 20, 2008

And I''m blue.....mostly......
Reply to this comment
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