Feds ID Border Patrol Agent Killed at Border

Slain officer was investigating suspicious group near Mexican border

A Border Patrol agent killed near the U.S.-Mexican border has been identified by the Department of Homeland Security.

Robert Rosas was killed in San Diego County while tracking suspected illegal immigrants or drug smugglers, according to federal officials.

Rosas spotted a suspicious group in the remote Campo area near the Mexican border Thursday night and called for backup, according to Border Patrol spokesman Daryl Reed. When the suspicious group split up, Rosas went after some suspects by himself. Other agents lost radio contact with him.

Around 9 p.m., the other agents heard gunshots and found the agent. Rosas was pronounced dead at the scene at about 9:15 p.m. on Shockey Truck Trail in Campo, Battalion Chief Nick Schuler said.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said Rosas was shot in the head.

According to the OfficerDownMemorialPage.com, Rosas was 30 years old and had served with the Border Patrol for the past three years. He is survived by his wife, 2-year-old son and 11 month-old daughter, the site reported.

Rep. Darrell Issa issued a statement Friday about Rosa's slaying.

"What happened last night was a tragedy and a painful acknowledgment that at any time, our Border Patrol agents may be put into an extraordinary circumstance," Issa said. "The thoughts and prayers of our entire region are with the family and friends of this fallen agent.”

A search on both sides of the border after the killing failed to find anyone.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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