Skip wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:00 PM:This was not an accident! Most other newspapers and media outlets are reporting that "The Hummer sped up and swerved toward the agent, killing him”. The war on the border is getting out of control. It is time to send in the Military.

Skip wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:02 PM:AS I SEE IT, THE BORDER PATROL AGENT WAS MURDERED! This was a diliberate and calculated act. NCT you need to update your story.

Skip wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:03 PM:YOUR COVERAGE OF THIS STORY IS APALLING “The Hummer sped up and swerved toward our agent, killing him,” said agent Eric Anderson, a spokesman for the agency's Yuma sector. After the agent was struck, both vehicles escaped into Mexico. Anderson said Mexican authorities are cooperating in the search for the suspects.

Jeff wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:16 PM:I am seriously concerned that an officer being killed in the line of duty is not a headline news story on the UT web site nor is it the lead story of our local SD tv news stations. Many Border Patrol Agents working in that sector live in San Diego and commute. I hope they catch the killers.
My condolences to the family and to his/her fellow agents.

Patrick wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:20 PM:That's it ! I've seen, and had enough ! There is no nice way to say this, but WE seem left with no other choice but to physically remove, and prosecute those in power responsible for these atrocities to keep taking place in our country. Just like prosecuting border patrol agents for shooting a KNOWN DRUG DEALER WORKING FOR THE DEA, and then letting him go ? How much longer will it be before the Drug cartels come up further into America and doing their deeds, like they all ready are ? Someone said to me, that if we get rid of Washington and all those responsible for the crimes against this Nation, we wouldn't have anyone left to run the country and those that would replace them wouldn't be that much better ? I informed my friend, that WE would be 100 times better off having NO ONE in Washington, versus' having what WE have now, and have to pay them for this kind of service ? A lot better off ! Remove the Federal Governments power and return it to the states ! The only thing our Federal Govt. is supposed to do in the first place, is provide a strong defense for our country and it's allies, provide diplomatic relations for trade purposes, and over see the taxing of this nation. And they can't even do that !

They'll never find them. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:22 PM:How in the hell did they manage to get into Mexico anyhow? After they hit that BP officer everybody in the place should have opened up on them. Any armed civilians nearby should have joined in, too. How much longer are we going to be expected to sit here and put up with this crap? Our country is slowly being turned into a Third World hellhole right in front of our eyes, our military is thousands of miles away, and our gubmint turns a blind eye while American after American after American is slaughtered in cold blood. The day is going to come when all hell is going to break loose and it won't be pretty.

Jorden wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:29 PM:Yo BUSH! Instead of borrowing from the Federal Reserve to hand out tax rebates early that will result in costing taxpayers more down the road, how about sealing the darn southern border and give American citizens a break from this foreign invasion that is literally killing Americans and bankrupting us. We need the whole border militarized and armed. It is such BS that it isn't.

cathy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 12:02 AM:Wake up America! How many more of these images do you need to see before you get angry? My heart goes out to the family and friends of this slain officer.

slappy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 2:46 AM:Troops on the border with orders to shoot to kill.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:36 AM:Condolences to the Agents family...What is really sick is the opportunist...

Wake Up America wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:56 AM:"Dangerous criminal groups have chosen to respond to our tougher security posture at the border with increased violence," Chertoff said in a statement. "They mistakenly believe that we will give way in the face of violence. We will continue to show them how wrong they are."

Skip wrote on Jan 20, 2008 9:10 AM:I know you do not care, but this murder occured on American soil, in a Family recreation area. Enough is Enough. And I am not a member of the Minutemen. But I am an American Citizen.

Skip wrote on Jan 20, 2008 9:12 AM:If there are any more incidents like this one, then mark my words, " All Bets Are Off On Who Will Become the Next President"

Ken wrote on Jan 20, 2008 9:21 AM:I am sick and tired of our federal, state, local and city governments doing little to nothing to stop this INVASION of ILLEGAL ALIENS and ILLEGAL DRUGS form coming across our southern border! WAKE UP AMERICA! Let us all shout "I AM MAD AS HELL AND i AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!" We must all ask ourselves why we are allowing the ILLEGAL ALIENS to turn our country into a 3rd World Country? Why are we (the LEGAL citizens) paying for the medical, education, welfare and any other free benefits to support the ILLEGAL ALIENS and just watching them send billions of dollars to Mexico? ENFORCE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS! BUILD THE FENCE ALONG OUR SOUTHERN BORDER! PUT OUR MILITARY FORCES ALONG OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, WITH ORDERS TO STOP THIS INVASION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS AND ILLEGAL DRUGS!

Sylvia wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:02 AM:Why doesn't anyone ask the question, on why these Smugglers were allowed to murder a Federal Agent and then simply drive back to mexico and avoid capture.

MVet wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:29 AM:Stories like this one make the strongest case for MILITARIZING THE BORDER. Our Border Patrol is outgunned and outmanned. The threat is Real!

to sylvia, skip wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:36 AM:because there is no fence, & skip, just who is that going to be, the far left or the repub (McCain) who authored that last bill that finally got the American people all rilled up and opened eyes to this mess? I;m really afraid for our grandchildren, because America will not exist as we knew it for them, unless something is done NOW. STAND UP AMERICA AND BE HEARD. ITS ELECTION TIME, ITS NOW OR NEVER.

Jay wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:38 AM:We were driving back from Scottsdale yesterday and seen road blocks at Gray's Road...it was apparent something really serious happened as CHP,sheriff's and Border Patrol were all over the place...Mexican drug runners are getting very bold as evidenced by three incidents recently near Campo involving pick-up trucks jumping across border carrying drugs.. Time to beef up our local border security with armed military...only way to control this as Border Patrol is stretched to thin...all you have to do is drive hwy 94 out towards Jacumba...very obvious..

peewee wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:48 AM:Wow, one border agent killed on our soil and everyone's foaming at the mouth for military action.

Perhaps you can understand now why there are thousands of freedom fighters (who the US Govt calls terrorists and insurgents) that are killing our troops during our occupation of that country.

SDNative wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:51 AM:For all you bleeding hearts out there, your maid was in that humvee that killed that Border agent.

Dee wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:54 AM:Messed up--especially since they went back to mexico and weren't caught. I doubt they will be. mexican law enforcement is a joke....like their legal system, economy, and government.

To peewee wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:58 AM:I for one am tired of the drugs, the illegal aliens, the diesease, and who knows what else is crossing our southern border daily. It has been way past time for the military to get involved. Our president is failing to protect our own country and I am Mad as Hell!

MikeN wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:06 AM:Everyone with their "it's very sad" comments. Yes, you're right, it is very sad. It's tragic But where is your outrage at our politicians who allow this to go on? This brave man died defending our country from an invasion, yet most of you are too politically correct, apathetic & passive to do anything about it, much less put the blame where it truly lies, on our treasonous "leaders" who are more concerned with not offending illegal aliens than they are about American citizens. Have any of you contacted your State "leaders" & demanded they secure our borders & arrest those corrupt businesses that hire illegals? Have any one of you took to the streets & protested? Or do you just stay silent? Do just continue to re-elect these treasonous snakes? These kind of tragic incidents will continue to happen to American citizens if we Americans do not demand we secure our borders, deport the 30 million illegals in our country now & enforce our laws This brave American died because of our corrupt leadership & our cowardly citizens who bow down to the invaders 10,000 illegal aliens flood into America each & every day. What will it take for you to say enough?

Sick and Tired wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:17 AM:A couple of months ago I posted on a topic and specifically said, put up the fence, arm the BP agents and whomever else to guard it, give them one warning, if they don't go back shoot. If they are coming in here illegally, they are not coming in here for good. We dont want or need them. As to the person that claimed they come and do what Americans won't? BS BS BS....Americans would do the work, but they won't do it for pauper's pay like the illegals will....pander that somewhere else....When a man, who is simply doing his job gets killed in the line of duty, it is terrible, when he has a family at home he is trying to earn a living for, and gets killed by someone who thinks they are above the law, and participating in illegal activities, it is even worse. I totally agree Mike, when citizens start voting for who will do the best work and not get on bended knee for everyone, and when citizens start DEMANDING that their government do what it should be doing....then we will see a change, until then, this is what we can expect....

neil wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:20 AM:I don't know about you guys, but I take my family to the Imperial Dunes. I have seen chases before, but this is the first time a death has resulted. Now I have to decide if it is worth taking my family there again. Is it worth the risk? And last time I checked the imperial Dunes were on American Soil. I am totally disgusted.

To Amanda wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:22 AM:I knew Luis, he was a great guy and one heck of a Border Patrol Agent, which is I'm sure exactly why he was hand picked to work on that specialty unit. We are all saddened by your loss. He has gone out of his way several times to give me a hand and he was probably one of the funniest dudes I have ever met. Please let me know if I can do anything for you and the family. I would be honored.

care4America wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:46 AM:My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and fellow agents of this American hero who gave his life defending our country. The US government must file official protests with the Mexican government over this International intentional murder and inform them we will be using whatever force is necessary to defend our agents, border and country. Futher inform the Mexican government no more meddling in our domestic and political affairs especially by their consuls. Obey and respect our laws while in our country or the consuls will be closed.

To peewee wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:51 AM:RE: peewee wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:48 AM:Wow, one border agent killed on our soil and everyone's foaming at the mouth for military action. >>>> This man had a wife and children. In fact he had a large family. And he was Hispanic.

Amanda wrote on Jan 20, 2008 11:52 AM:For you people blaming the BP this "agent" was my Uncle. He was a wonderful person. You look at the big picture while my family and I are sitting here in tears. I have memories with this person. If you have negative opinions fine. This isn't about that right now this is about a man who had kids and a wife and a big family who is grieving him right now. Have respect or don't say anything at all.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Killing of a Border Patrol Agent in the Line of Duty wrote on Jan 20, 2008 12:28 PM:Earlier today the Border Patrol lost a brave agent assigned to the Yuma Sector in a heinous act of violence. The agent was struck and killed while attempting to stop two vehicles believed to have illegally entered the country and were absconding back into Mexico. Our thoughts and prayers are with the agent's family, and with the entire Border Patrol community. I am outraged by this tragic loss....... http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200840987620.shtm

THE AMERICAN PUBLIC STANDS WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE BORDER PATROL wrote on Jan 20, 2008 12:32 PM:Dangerous criminal groups have chosen to respond to our tougher security posture at the border with increased violence. They mistakenly believe that we will give way in the face of violence. We will continue to show them how wrong they are. http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1200840987620.shtm

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jan 20, 2008 12:34 PM:Now it's time to take off the kid gloves. Unknown to most, the border is an extremely violent place and smugglers have been engaged with our Border Patrol for some time now. The time has come when we must wake up and use deadly force to stop and apprehend these violent felons before any more US citizens and Border Patrol agents are killed.

james wrote on Jan 20, 2008 1:56 PM:its time to start sending emails and make phone calls to every elected jerk in DC and in your own state who favors amnesty for illegal iummigrants. everytime you see a paper, TV websight and it says an illegal killed an american, cut and paste the story to kyl, mc cain, feinstien, boxer, fatman kennedy, kerry, reid and all those ohter illegal alien loving bozos and let them know this is not what you put them in office to do. blast em with phone calls. the capital has a toll free number. you called it to stop amnesty in june. do it again for stuff like this

Skippy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 1:59 PM:Get a life Skip! At least an education!
Your comments are idiotic.

Military needed wrote on Jan 20, 2008 2:28 PM:As several posters above have mentioned, it's time to put our military on the border. And in sufficient numbers and with sufficient arms and equipment to end this insane invasion from Mexico. If this tragic incident finally causes our politicians to actually do something to stop this madness, then the BP agent will not have died in vain. We must elect a president who will stop illegal immigration. Some candidates are more inclined to do so than others.

james wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:15 PM:i think we need to start sending these type of articles to every senator who wants amnesty and tell them this is not what american wants. ...

Karl wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:19 PM:I've got an idea. How about a reporter with some (edit...guts) asks all presidential candidates what they think about this incident and what they will do to avoid it in the future. My guess is that the question won't be asked. By the way "skippy" make a point or get lost.

MOTHER EARTH wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:28 PM:Such hysteria! The real facts have yet to be reported. These accidents won't happen when we have NO BORDERS. With the North American Union just around the corner, The USA, Canada and MEXICO will be ONE COUNTRY. We now have the OAS (Organization of American States) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement ~ 15 years old) and SOON the NAU!! Already Mexican trucks are traversing our interstates and free trade back and forth is a SUCCESS! Hooray for the Global Economy! ONE WORLD, ONE PEOPLE, ALL EQUAL!!

Gus wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:38 PM:We know the elected officials like Bush, Candidate McCain, and those on the left want to give this country over to the illegals. We have Sanctuary Cities, we have the mental deficient that want to take God out of the Country and replace it with the koran. WAKE UP AMERICA THE WACKO LEFT AND JERKS ON THE RIGHT ARE SELLING THIS COUNTRY DOWN THE DRAIN. Bush now wants to do away with the 2nd Amendment, now you will not be able to legally protect yourself, family or property at all. This illegal invasion started at the White House and Congress and that is where it needs to be dealt with. How many more brave Boarder Patrol need to be killed or imprisoned to appease Bush and Sutton. Impeach Bush and Sutton then indite for treason. Then start looking and Congress,Senate and Local Elected officials that ignore the meaning of "ILLEGAL"!!! If we don't do it now God Save the Republic.

Skip wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:40 PM:How many people here really want to at one with canada and mexico. That's the problem these days. Pride in America has been weakened by foreignors that never had any right to be here in the first place.

The Violence Against Border Patrol Agents is Rising wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:42 PM:Reported assaults against Border Patrol agents have risen in many areas along the border in recent months, but the area of Saturday's incident, in the southeastern corner of California, had been relatively quiet, Schappell said. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, the agency counted 19 assaults against agents in the Yuma sector, compared with 94 for the same period in 2006. By contrast, assaults on agents in the San Diego area, where the Border Patrol has been involved in a series of clashes with rock-throwing smugglers, have risen dramatically. The agency said there were 90 assaults against agents between Oct. 1 and the end of 2007, five times as many as during the same period in 2006. SOURCE : L.A. Times

David wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:44 PM:For many years Border Patrol Agents have been complaining about the Sand Dunes border not having any vehicle barriers on the border. The border is less than a mile away from I-8. All the illegal traffic coming up from Mexico consists of mostly vehicles. Its sad that this situation has happened to a good man. But now is the time to demand that our government puts barrier whether its a fence or adequate vehicle barriers! Until that day, these animals will continue to force their way through the wide open desert and into OUR country! P.S. How difficult can it be to find a single Hummer in Algodones,Mexico (are there really that many down there?!)

Missy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:52 PM:This is very sad for the slain USBP Agent's family, as well as the USBP. ... I pray that the authorities in Mexico hunt the animals down and bring them to justice. Our government should demand that they be found and turned over to the U.S. for trial. However, I lack faith in our government with respect to the protection our USBP Agents: it seems they place more importance on the rights of the illegal criminals. USBP Agents Ramos & Compean are an example of how our goverment treats the protectors of our borders. They should have been hailed as heroes instead of thrown in jail.

To Missy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 4:27 PM:Sorry Missy, it probably will not happen. I do not expect any cooperation from Mexico Officials because they too will become targets. 15 people have been executed in Mexico just this week and most of them were beaten and tortured first. So why would anyone take the chance of cooperating with the U.S. when it could very well be a death sentence for them. It is our government officials that I blame this mess on. We have been far too easy for far too long.

Dave wrote on Jan 20, 2008 4:43 PM:This is back page news. People die at the border every day.

Deeper look wrote on Jan 20, 2008 5:02 PM:This is so sad for the family. Hopefully the vehicle will be located, serial numbers traced back to point of origin, and all involved from the sale, or theft can be traced and implicated with the crime. There should be no lesser punishment here, all involved should be charged to the maximum extent of the law.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jan 20, 2008 5:06 PM:Mother Earth, you have to be joking, right? Open borders? Sorry, but hard-working Americans would never allow open borders because we refuse to have this country to turn into a screwed up country like Mexico. Like other have said, it's time to bolster the Border Patrol and put armed military forces along the entire border with Mexico. The chaos and violence has gotten totally out of hand. Has anyone been following the warfare going on in TJ and other places in Mexico? They can't get a handle on the wanton violence and Mother Earth wants open borders? Sheesh, what a joke!

To Missy wrote on Jan 20, 2008 5:06 PM:Unfortunately Mexico will not extradite them if found unless the United States agrees not to seek the death penalty. It is a Mexicans citizens right to get away with murder in the United States. The United States treats world champion chess players worse than Mexican citizens.

Molly wrote on Jan 20, 2008 5:46 PM:If it was the other way around, and the border cop killed an illegal alien because the cops life was in danger ... All hell would be breaking loose! Mexico would be making demands and Bush would be pandering to Mexico's demands, and the media would be going nuts!

CP wrote on Jan 20, 2008 6:26 PM:This is pretty sad i will pray for the family, and i wonder if it was the other way around if we would have another Ramos and Compeon incident and this officer would have been jailed for doing his job.

Gunny wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:22 PM:We know the elected officials like Bush, Candidate McCain, and those on the left want to give this country over to the illegals. We have Sanctuary Cities, we have the mental deficient that want to take God out of the Country and replace it with the koran. WAKE UP AMERICA THE[Y] ... ARE SELLING THIS COUNTRY DOWN THE DRAIN. Bush now wants to do away with the 2nd Amendment, now you will not be able to legally protect yourself, family or property at all. This illegal invasion started at the White House and Congress and that is where it needs to be dealt with. How many more brave Boarder Patrol need to be killed or imprisoned to appease Bush and Sutton. Impeach Bush and Sutton then indite for treason. Then start looking and Congress,Senate and Local Elected officials that ignore the meaning of "ILLEGAL"!!! If we don't do it now God Save the Republic.

Dow wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:24 PM:For many years Border Patrol Agents have been complaining about the Sand Dunes border not having any vehicle barriers on the border. The border is less than a mile away from I-8. All the illegal traffic coming up from Mexico consists of mostly vehicles. Its sad that this situation has happened to a good man. But now is the time to demand that our government puts barrier whether its a fence or adequate vehicle barriers! Until that day, these animals will continue to force their way through the wide open desert and into OUR country! P.S. How difficult can it be to find a single Hummer in Algodones,Mexico (are there really that many down there?!)

Molly you are so right!! wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:36 PM:If this was the other way around everyone would be going nuts!! If an illegal even gets a scratch at the hands of a US citizen or a police official, all hell breaks loose!

RIP wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:39 PM:Luis Aguilar, 32, who was assigned to the Yuma, Arizona, border patrol station, died Saturday, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner W. Ralph Basham said in a statement. SOURCE: CNN

IMPERIAL SAND DUNES RECREATION AREA wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:45 PM:A Family Oriented Recreational Park run by the Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. THE AREA IS POPULAR WITH OFF-ROAD VEHICLE ENTHUSIASTS BUT ALSO IS FREQUENTLY USED BY SMUGGLERS CARRYING PEOPLE OR DRUGS ! http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ohvs/isdra/dunesinfo.html

James62 wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:50 PM:RE: "I am outraged by this tragic loss," said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Saturday. "I have spoken to the Mexican ambassador, who gives me both his condolences and deep assurance that their government will be resolute in tracking down the perpetrators and bringing them to swift justice." ,,,,,,,, If he is so outraged then how come ther is so little progress on the fence. A barrier would have prevented this tragedy, or at the very least the suspects would have been aprehended.

BPWife wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:56 PM:My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the fallen BP Agent's family. If that was my husband, I wouldn't know what to do. I've come realize that every morning when I say I love you and goodbye to my husband...he risks his life. God Bless to the fallen BP Agent and his family!

JCS wrote on Jan 20, 2008 7:58 PM:Pure and simple, this is an assault on our soveriegnty as a nation. These invaders come here in waves, and only a small percentage of them are caught by our first line of defense, the Border Patrol. There should be a fence as our first line, a free fire zone patrolled by the US Military, and the Border Patrol to catch whatever makes it through. This is the only civilized nation in the world that continues to maintain a permeable border. If you tried to enter any other country without papers, you'd be in prison at best.

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:05 PM:There is no doubt that this newspaper will have more coverage of the death of Stryker, the Oceanside police dog, than United States Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar. The name of the fallen agent was released this morning and they do not even have the decency to update this story.

MOTHER OINK wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:05 PM:Here now. Children, children. Let us all remember that we are all children of Mother Earth! Yes, children of her. As such, we must open our tiny hearts to the vast vistas out there. Having said that, when this is all one big, beautiful family living in harmony in NORTH AMERICA, how great it will be! Hear no more of border travesties or border shanigans, but rather of peace and tranqauility for all of Mother Earth's children!

Craig wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:07 PM:Why isn't this on front page news. Talk radio did their job this summer by helping to put pressure on congress and the senate and encouraging us all to do the same. We should all be involved again. Believe it or not, unless we put pressure on the amnesty loving politicians and especially those who are now running for president, they have no incentive for sealling the borders and protecting the sovereignty of our country. Its just like every other issue, you will trace the problem somewhere down the line to someones back pocket.

Dave wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:41 PM:I have read nowhere where it mentions the suspects were illegal aliens. Once again a bunch of ignorant comments.

Del wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:07 PM:I'm sorry to say, this was bound to happen. Our government is aware of drug runners escorted by armed criminals moving drugs in Imperial County and Southern AZ. These people will stop at nothing. The army needs to be moved in and all levels of force used to stop this this criminals and secure our border.

Victor wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:10 PM:A horrible tragedy for a man and his family. The government is to blame for his death. Our government with their vague laws of enforcement. I can't blame any Mexican for wanting a new life away from that violence ridden country. But it seems the government by doing nothing has made the border agents job more and more risky.
This man that dies, died protecting our laws. He died for what the majority stands for. Whether you agree with our immigration laws or not, you should respect that he died for US the majority. I do not agree with our current immigrant process. But I take my hat off and give a moment to the man that upheld OUR laws, until it killed him doing so.

Bless him and his family.

What Part Of ILLEGAL Do You Not Understand ?????? wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:14 PM:The agent was trying to stop two vehicles that had illegally entered the U.S. from MEXICO when he was hit, said agent Jeremy Schappell, a spokesman for the Border Patrol's Yuma sector. Schappell said Border Patrol agents spotted a Hummer and a second vehicle that had crossed the border from MEXICO illegally and chased them west on Interstate 8. The suspects escaped by Illegally crossing back into MEXICO. SOURCE : L.A. TIMES

In Today's wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:21 PM:"What we face is more of a challenge than law enforcement can be expected to cope with," said Kent Lundgren, chairman of the 800-member National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers (NAFBPO). "The best solution is for the U.S. military to assume armed positions along the border ... and use whatever force is necessary to control the border zone." SOURCE: Washington Times

To Dave wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:38 PM:As soon as the suspects crossed the Border Illegaly, they became fair game for the Border Patrol. Your comment not only does not make sense, but it is rude.

Jeff wrote on Jan 20, 2008 10:59 PM:Dave, they went 'back' to Mexico. Mexico would quickly prosecute a U.S. Citizen who was not in their country legally.

America...get off the drugs and stop supporting the cartels. This is going to get worse before it gets better. Mexico is starting to challenge the drug runners and from what I just read they may be strong enough to take over the government down there. It could get ugly.

So, Mother Earth (or Leftover Flower Child)--- wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:54 AM:'ONE WORLD, ONE PEOPLE, ALL EQUAL!!'----You can't possibly be this dense. You're saying to let ANYONE in, no questions asked???? You're OK with criminals, terrorists, the nice Taliban folks who would slit your throat for refusing to wear a burqha or refusing to go out of the house without a male relative (don't forget that women are lower than pond scum to them)...you have some fantasy that THEY would think YOU were 'equal' to them??? Do you think you can discuss 'issues' with them over afternoon tea, or if you just try to 'understand' them that they'll change? Oy, oy, oy; why on earth would you want to give your country away to people who could care less about it? Without borders, YOU will not have any rights.

Syl wrote on Jan 21, 2008 7:56 AM:In today's USA today and other newspapers, barely a two inch line story on the death of this Border Patrol Agent. America is under attack by a corrupt foreign government, drug runners, and human smugglers, and barely two paragraphs on the death of Luis Aguilar, who was murdered while defending our country.

Ken wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:14 PM:The BP in the Southwest are all heroes. Drive thru the dunes and past Yuma, see what they are doing. Put up the fence and filter out the ILLEGALS. Put in southbound checkpoints at the border 24/7. Use the unemployed to helpout, create jobs. No ILLEGAL workers hired by the fence companies.

SDNative wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:15 PM:My thoughts and sympathies go out to the family (edit).
And before you all jump to the conclusion that it must have been illegal mexicans coming in with drugs, remember that it could also have been americans going down to get drugs and bring them back (I remember a lot of guys did that when I was in college).
This is not about legal or illegal immigration. This is about drug trafficking, and the problem is on BOTH sides of the border. Forget the border patrol, what we need is a big DEA presence in the desert region. Especially on winter weekends when that area is filled with people offroading and it would be relatively easy for traffickers to go back and forth with their poison.

MOTHER OF MOTHER OINK wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:49 PM:Dear me and for Heaven sakes! Gracious. Do we not have criminals and misfits in our very midst? And are they not native born? They populate Pelican Bay, San Quentin and numerous other hoosegows and slameronnies. Yet we wouldn't dream of denying them residence here! So why in the name of Mother Earth would one want to deny the same to other perfectly good children of Mother Earth? I ask you. Case closed, the defense rests. Amen.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:35 PM:It sounds like there a few smart ones out there today. They are able to separate people sneaking around working & drug smugglers and violent offenders...I'm impressed.

Bob wrote on Jan 22, 2008 12:31 PM:This is unbelievable. Only one person needlessly died this time, what about the next time? There could have been many more deaths caused by these ruthless people running innocent people down just to get their loser butts back to Mexico to find another vehicle and smuggle more people and drugs back across. Bring themilitary back from Iraq to protect our own country at the border. Fences, guns, tanks, whatever it takes to protect our people. Get all of those illegals out of our state and back to their own country so we can take care of our own and not have to support them. God Bless America!

Mattson wrote on Jan 22, 2008 3:56 PM:Notice how silent all the "Alien rights " people are about this? As if the agents life was less valuable than an illegal. Pathetic. I say build the dam wall, forget the political crap. Mexico's hipocrisy is endless.

Skip wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:24 PM:The Baja Mexico Police found the charred remains of a Hummer in Mexicali, Baja Calif. The Hummer was destroyed in the fire, but identification numbers found in the vehicle indicated it had previously been reported stolen in Santa Ana, Calif. A partially burned Ford pickup was located Sunday in Ejido Nayarit, a farming area south of Los Algodones. The Ford previously had been reported stolen in Calexico, Calif. It can't be confirmed that they are the vehicles, but this sure is a strange (STRONG) coincidence. SOURCE: Yuma Sun Newspaper

Tina wrote on Jan 22, 2008 6:54 PM:This agent was a very good friend of my husband who is also an agent working in Yuma. This was a shock to us all and you really dont realize how dangerous your job is until something tragic like this happens... I think the smugglers are getting desperate and they will take any action possible just to get across... This could of easily been my husband out there.. I just ask instead of going back and forth about the political aspect of this, that we pray for his wife and kids to get through this difficult time...... I just hope now that the Border Patrol agents will take extra precausion in what they do day in and day out......

Sylvia wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:19 PM:Aguilar's death has drawn attention to escalating violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico divide. Chertoff and other administration officials said the violence that claimed Aguilar's life stems partly from heightened border security measures. And they said the agent's death highlights the need to continue initiatives such as a fence, which has drawn stiff opposition from some border residents and officials.
"Experience shows that the more successful you are in putting pressure on criminal organizations, the more violent they will become in fighting back," said Chertoff, who wore a pin depicting a Border Patrol badge draped in black. Source - Los Angeles Times

LadyStClaire wrote on Jan 22, 2008 8:06 PM:Its a shame and a disgrace that our government just continue to turn a blind eye when it comes to whats going on in regards to the border with Mexico. It seems like they are afraid of the Mexican government for some reason. I for one really want to know what it is that they are holding over the heads of our lame leaders in Washington.

Echo wrote on Jan 23, 2008 4:26 AM:
The more I think about this the madder I get. Why is this not headline news: Federal Agent Murdered by Drug Smuggler, Suspect at Large in Mexico!
Are we trying not to offend someone or their country. Are we more concerned about the outcome of a game. A police dog's death garnered more attention and higher interest by the NCT and TV news outlets. ... a sad, sad state of affairs in this part of the US!

legalatina wrote on Jan 23, 2008 7:22 AM:If BUSH and CHERTOFF really cared about homeland security and the security of our borders, they'd be sending the Marines down there right NOW! and they should do it until the fence is built and they can get more BP trained and deplioyed. Our Border Patrol needs all the assistance and back-up they can....why isn't Chertoff doing that?

jsc wrote on Jan 23, 2008 2:42 PM:The fact that our government does not provide more money for manning the border, providing agents with adequate technology and weaponry shows how low a priority that border enforcement really is. This November let's elect someone who will do something about cross border violence, smuggling and illegal immigration. In the meantime write and call your legislators and let them know it's a priority.

Roberto1 wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:31 PM:Get rid of the Border patrol and put the military at the broder....this will save taxpayer dollars and get the job done. Isolationism will never work!

LARRY wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:29 AM:seems the gov. does not care about our borders , they can spend $12 billion dollars a month on IRAQI SECURITY but ONLY $125 MILLION A YEAR FOR OUR BORDERS SECURITY -Something is very wrong with our current Government ! There seems to be no sense to it? BP AGENTS getting killed,illegal aliens running amok, and no action to stop the MADNESS !!!!!

USVBW wrote on Apr 14, 2008 4:55 PM:THE UNITED STATES VOLUNTEER BORDER WATCHERS HAVE 200 PEOPLE NOW IN PLACE ALONG THE SOUTHERN BORDER-TAKING PICTURES OF ILLEGALS COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY AND REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF BORDER SECURITY . IT'S TIME BECOME GOOD CITIZENS BEFORE WE LOSE OUR COUNTRY