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.

    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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by daneman2009 January 22, 2008 10:44 PM EST
Yeah i saw that agent get run over. The dunes are called the Buttercup Dunes and it was pretty bad. Poor guy was layin some spike strips on the main road in the camp when the Hummer that the illegal was driving ran him over. It was a horrible thing to happen. OUR boarders are not boarders. they are just lines that we say exist, we have national guard troops patroling the boarder with no clearence to fire apon people entering our country, i understand that not all people entering illegaly are bad people, but its a great way for terrorist to enter our country. We need to pull out our troops from fighting a dead war and put it where we need it most. our boarder.
Reply to this comment
by underdogus January 22, 2008 1:43 PM EST
our economy is going down the toilet, where are ya gonna get the money??? YA FRIGGIN IMBECILE!!!
Reply to this comment
by cdegolier January 21, 2008 6:46 PM EST
This is exactly why we need a wall built.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 5:26 PM EST
I''''ll probably vote for Edwards in the CA primary (if he''''s still running), but I''''m also pulling for Obama as my 2nd choice. If it Hillary I''''ll vote for her in the general election, but only because the republican field is soooooooooo pitiful.
Posted by SgtRDS at 11:57 AM : Jan 21, 2008
You are right about that. The reps have nobody worth looking at, I''ll probably write in Mickey Mouse instead.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 21, 2008 2:57 PM EST
I don''''t have any problem with any race or gender that wants to be pres. All I ask is that they represent ALL the citizens of the United States, not just one particular base. Sadly I haven''''t seen anyone of that quality in decades. And unfortunately doesn''''t seem to be any this time either.

Posted by Klingon69 at 11:49 AM : Jan 21, 2008

I''ll probably vote for Edwards in the CA primary (if he''s still running), but I''m also pulling for Obama as my 2nd choice. If it Hillary I''ll vote for her in the general election, but only because the republican field is soooooooooo pitiful.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 2:51 PM EST
I got it out of a crock pot cookbook. If you decide to try it either buy two smaller chuck roasts that have been cut flat and spread it between like a sandwich or buy a larger roast and cut it in half. Surprisingly you don''''t taste any of the jelly at all, it''''s just a hint sweet and a lot less dry.
Posted by SgtRDS at 11:47 AM : Jan 21, 2008
The roast we had wasn''t dry, but will have to try the jelly sometime.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 2:49 PM EST
Sadly I don''''t have time to argue with you right now as I have to get ready for work. Oh and the bulk of Hispanics here legally are descended from the Hispanics that were here before the US stole the American Southwest from Mexico. As they say they didn''''t cross the border, the border crossed them. And they''''re reproducing at nearly 8 times the rate of white and black Americans. Get ready for the first Hispanic president, cos it'''' only a matter of time. A very short time too.
Posted by SgtRDS at 10:14 AM : Jan 21, 2008
I don''t have any problem with any race or gender that wants to be pres. All I ask is that they represent ALL the citizens of the United States, not just one particular base. Sadly I haven''t seen anyone of that quality in decades. And unfortunately doesn''t seem to be any this time either.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 21, 2008 2:47 PM EST
Wife fixed the same for us couple nights ago, never tried the idea about jelly, but since she is diabetic, will probably have to skip that part, but those baby onions.....mmmmmmmm.

Posted by Klingon69 at 10:45 AM : Jan 21, 2008

I got it out of a crock pot cookbook. If you decide to try it either buy two smaller chuck roasts that have been cut flat and spread it between like a sandwich or buy a larger roast and cut it in half. Surprisingly you don''t taste any of the jelly at all, it''s just a hint sweet and a lot less dry.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:45 PM EST
Crock pot pot roast with carrots, whole new potatoes and baby onions. With (believe it or not) a thin layer of grape jelly inside the Chuck roast for moistness and a hint of sweetness. have to work today so it should be done by the time I get home tonight.

Mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Oh and cresent rolls with real butter too.
Posted by SgtRDS at 10:03 AM : Jan 21, 2008
Wife fixed the same for us couple nights ago, never tried the idea about jelly, but since she is diabetic, will probably have to skip that part, but those baby onions.....mmmmmmmm.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 21, 2008 1:40 PM EST
I have been to California, to LA, SF, SD...etc. I have no desire at all to repeat those mistakes. So, who pays for the city to continuously clean up this grafilthy? Could that money be better used elsewhere, oh wait, this is LA, where the illegals are loved, and cherished...

Posted by Klingon69 at 10:34 AM : Jan 21, 2008

Actually a lot of it is done by groups like Homeboy Industries. Great organization. Off to work now.

http://www.homeboy-industries.org/
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:39 PM EST
One main race, but not one main language. No one speaks "Indian" because there were many many different languages spoken by Native Americans. A Chippewa for instance would not under anything an Apache said any more then a Apache would understand a Choctaw. The tribes did not have a common Indian language.
Posted by SgtRDS at 11:18 PM : Jan 20, 2008
Again, let me point out, that while many tribes had different languages, there was a form of sign language that could be interpreted by many tribal leaders. Most native tribes had multi-lingual people.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:34 PM EST
A myth. Visit s sometime and enjoy our wide variety of cultures and diversity. You''''ll find that, yes there are some high crime areas, but that the bulk of the city is full of neat neighborhoods that are well maintained and graffiti free. When someone sprays any graffiti in our neighborhood it only take one call to 311 to report it and the city cleans it up or paints over it in a few days. Eventually the graffiti morons just give up.
Posted by SgtRDS at 08:12 PM : Jan 20, 2008
I have been to California, to LA, SF, SD...etc. I have no desire at all to repeat those mistakes. So, who pays for the city to continuously clean up this grafilthy? Could that money be better used elsewhere, oh wait, this is LA, where the illegals are loved, and cherished...
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:28 PM EST
Spelling correction:

When the native american indians were defeated by the U.S. government forces, they were forced to learn english and banned to practice their culture or religion.
Posted by mcv57 at 07:17 PM : Jan 20, 2008
I love how easily people forget that the Spanish priests, conquistadors and later Mexicans slaughtered thousands, forbade the religions, customs...etc of the Native Americans.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:21 PM EST
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.
Posted by SgtRDS at 06:02 PM : Jan 20, 2008
What''s really funny is that you want to lump everyone into one group. You talk about the people against immigration, amazing how "illegal" gets lost in your responses. Yes, there are some racists who hate the brown, black, white, yellow, red...etc. But, there are many who don''t want the ILLEGALS here. However, you (obviously to soothe your id) want to catagorize everybody that has a negative thought on these invaders as a racist. Of course it''s impractical to try and deport these illegals, especially with these Sanctuary cities like LA that gives them succor and aid. If the feds don''t get their act together, the people will. It is something I do not want to see, because when the people get involved in policing the border and dealing with the illegals, many will NOT care about citizenship, many will shoot first, and ask questions later.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 21, 2008 1:14 PM EST
And Sargie, how many of those LEGALLY here are anchor babies whose mothers managed to whelp them on our soil? Make that admendment retroactive. If your parents are illegal, you gotta go.

Posted by Klingon69 at 10:09 AM : Jan 21, 2008

Sadly I don''t have time to argue with you right now as I have to get ready for work. Oh and the bulk of Hispanics here legally are descended from the Hispanics that were here before the US stole the American Southwest from Mexico. As they say they didn''t cross the border, the border crossed them. And they''re reproducing at nearly 8 times the rate of white and black Americans. Get ready for the first Hispanic president, cos it'' only a matter of time. A very short time too.
Reply to this comment
by kattyclayz January 21, 2008 1:14 PM EST
For or against illegal immigration, this is horrible. It could have easily have been a white man that was smuggling drugs, or black, Asian, Korean, any culture and it would still be just as horrible. I just hope that they catch the heartless idiot and he goes to jail for it for a very long time
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:13 PM EST
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.
Posted by SgtRDS at 05:56 PM : Jan 20, 2008
Although Calipornia does exist in the SW area of the US, it is not considered The Southwest. It is considered the coastal state. We are just tickled pink that you and your little illegal friends want amnesty. BTW, what did Californians do to the Okies during the depression? Those were American citizens, that the Califs beat, raped, murdered...etc, just because they didn''t want the INVASION.
Reply to this comment
by sgtrds January 21, 2008 1:11 PM EST
SgtRDS.. your posts are childish. Nobody really cares what you think... or eat for that matter...

Grow up son...

Posted by jkhagemann at 10:08 AM : Jan 21, 2008

Thanks for reading them though. I appreciate it.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 January 21, 2008 1:09 PM EST
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!
Posted by SgtRDS at 05:51 PM : Jan 20, 2008
And Sargie, how many of those LEGALLY here are anchor babies whose mothers managed to whelp them on our soil? Make that admendment retroactive. If your parents are illegal, you gotta go.
Reply to this comment
by jkhagemann January 21, 2008 1:08 PM EST
SgtRDS.. your posts are childish. Nobody really cares what you think... or eat for that matter...

Grow up son...

Reply to this comment
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