El Centro, Calif. - Friends, family and colleagues today celebrated the life and sacrifice of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas during a memorial ceremony in El Centro, Calif. Agent Rosas was shot and killed July 23, near Campo, Calif., after responding to suspicious activity in an area notorious for alien and drug smuggling.
During the memorial service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection rank and file as well as leaders focused on the life of Agent Rosas.
"Robert made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and his country, and in doing so, has left all of us a proud legacy", said Jayson Ahern, CBP acting commissioner.
"Robert was an outstanding member of the CBP family. His loss is felt by all of us at CBP and we will miss him greatly."
"We honor and pay highest tribute to Agent Rosas and his courageous young family. We assure his family that the sacrifice that he made will not be in vain," said Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. "The entire law enforcement community will be relentless in bringing to justice the criminals responsible for taking the life of a young patriot. I have witnessed first hand the tremendous amount of community support for the Rosas family, the law enforcement family and the United States Border Patrol."
Following the memorial service, a funeral procession, including hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement personnel from around the United States, escorted Agent Rosas' family to Evergreen Cemetery where he was interred. Agent Rosas' casket was led into the cemetery by a riderless horse, symbolizing a warrior who rides no more.
During the funeral, a Border Patrol "Pipes and Drums" Honor Guard played "Amazing Grace" and "Taps" during a flag-folding ceremony and presentation. The honor guard honored Agent Rosas with a 21-gun salute. Additionally, CBP Air Interdiction agents flying performed a missing man aerial formation over the ceremony.
As part of the ceremony, Border Patrol officials retired Agent Rosas' call sign signifying the end of his watch.
Agent Rosas joined 108 other Border Patrol agents and 101 other law enforcement officers from CBP and its legacy agencies who have given their lives in service to our nation while protecting America's borders.
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.
