see also: in May 2007 News Releases:   Agriculture Inspection, User Fee Requirements Begin June 1 for Commercial Trucks, Railroad Cars Entering U.S. From Canada   Customs and Border Protection starts 2007 Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act Cycle   New Mexico Border Patrol Seizes Nearly $1.5 Million in Marijuana   Suspected Child Molester, FBI Top 10 Fugitive Turned Over to Buffalo Customs and Border Protection   Jayson P. Ahern Announced as Next CBP Deputy Commissioner   CBP Border Patrol Continues Recruiting With Help of Car #28   Electronic Manifest Filing Now Mandatory in Michigan and New York ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Death in the Line of Duty, CBP Honors Senior Patrol Agent Richard Goldstein

contacts for this news release

Indio, Calif. – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agent assigned to the El Centro Sector’s Indio Station died in the line of duty Friday afternoon while working along the Coachella Canal near Niland, California.

Agent Richard Goldstein was reported missing after his service vehicle was found parked and idling along the Coachella Canal, with his service K-9 partner sitting alongside. A search and rescue operation was initiated immediately involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies. Sometime later, fellow Border Patrol agents discovered Agent Goldstein’s body floating in the canal.

Agent Goldstein died at the scene. He was 37-years old and a five-year veteran of the Border Patrol. The circumstances surrounding the death are currently under investigation by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department.

The Border Patrol family has suffered a great loss with the death of Border Patrol Agent Richard Goldstein,” said Carl L. McClafferty, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector. "The loss of such a promising young agent, bravely carrying out his duty, has created a great emptiness within our ranks. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his family, as we honor his courage and sacrifice."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.