see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Commissioner Message: Death in the Line of Duty

contacts for this news release

YUMA, Ariz. – A Border Patrol agent assigned to the Yuma, Ariz. Border Patrol station was killed in the line of duty Saturday.

About 9:30 a.m., a Border Patrol agent working in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area near Andrade, Calif. attempted to stop a suspected smuggler who was believed to have illegally entered the United States. The agent was attempting to deploy a controlled tire deflation device when the suspected smuggler's vehicle struck and killed him. Two vehicles, a brown Hummer and a red Ford F-250 pickup, are suspected in the agent's death.

Both vehicles absconded into Mexico.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation with full cooperation from other federal, state, and local authorities. Mexican law enforcers and military also are lending full support toward the capture of those involved.

"Today we mourn the loss of one of our own," said Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. "Agent Luis Aguilar was also a loving father, husband, son and brother who proudly served his country. This serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers our agents face everyday while securing our nation’s border and our way of life."

"Despite the ever-present, ever-increasing violence, we will continue in our relentless efforts toward securing America's borders and making our country, and our communities safer places to live," Chief Aguilar said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and fellow agents."

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.