Border Patrol agent killed in rollover

[kennethm3]

I won't post the name of this agent yet, it hasn't been released to the public yet. Because I know some of his classmates and former co-workers visit this forum. I will say this Agent recently returned to the Patrol from the Air Marshal Service and was a member of Border Patrol class session 403.

Border Patrol agent killed in rollover

By Michael Marizco
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

THREE POINTS - A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed in a single-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon.

The 32-year-old man died in a rollover accident about 2 p.m. on Federal Route 21 near Pisinimo Village on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, said Rob Daniels, a spokesman for the agency's Tucson sector.

The accident is still under investigation, but officials believe the agent was heading back to the Casa Grande station when he lost control.

No other vehicles were involved, Daniels said.

The agent's name was not released by late Sunday night.

"Without a doubt, anything like this affects the entire patrol," said Daniels.

[kennethm3]

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. A 32-year-old Border Patrol agent died in a single-vehicle rollover on the Tohono O'odham Reservation.
Agent George Debates of the Casa Grande Border Patrol station was traveling through the village of Pisinimo, along Federal Route 21, when he overcorrected his vehicle and rolled at least once.

The Border Patrol says the accident occurred yesterday afternoon in an area south of State Route 86.

Debates is survived by his mother Carol of Wisconsin.

[tacguy]

RIP and keep cutting sign PA.

[Big Sexy]

I know this guy. He was a very good guy, fun loving and full of life. He left the patrol for awhile and came onboard with the FAMS back in 2002. That is where I met him, we were on separate teams, but the same office. We talked about his desire to return to the Border Patrol and I adviced him on how to go about it. He left us in 2003 on good terms and was well liked among the fams. We wished him luck and those PA's among us wondered if maybe we should do the same.

I won't reveal his name out of respect for the family, but for the PA's on this board, I'm sure you're all ready aware of his name.

We were notified of it about 3 hours ago and my partner and I had a drink to him over dinner. Here's to our fallen brother.

You guys out there on the road be careful and god bless. :(

[kennethm3]

BS,

George and I were classmates (403) and worked in NGL at the same time before he left for FAMS. I posted his name earlier, after it had already hit the press.

Stay safe, fly low and under the radar,

Ken

[Big Sexy]

George was real cool, everybody liked him. I know the patrol had him jumping through hoops to get back. I hooked him up with the Doc to get his reentry physical done. At the time he was missing the patrol a lot and wasn't enjoying this job too much.

I heard he went back to AZ, I just didn't know where exactley. We were shocked and saddened to hear about it.

[Sgt_Rock]

George was a good man. He was my classmate and friend. Rest in peace brother.

[kennethm3]

A Message from CBP Commissioner Robert C. Bonner

It is with great sadness that I join Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar in
informing you of the loss of Border Patrol Agent George B. Debates who died
in the line of duty on December 19, 2004.

While on patrol near Ajo, Arizona, Agent Debates was involved in a single
vehicle accident and died as a result of his injuries. Agent Debates, 32, a
graduate of the Border Patrol Academy class #403, was assigned to the Casa
Grande Station, on detail to the Ajo Station. He is survived by his mother,
Carol Debates.

We mourn the loss of this fine young agent and extend our most heartfelt
prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues. We will remember Agent
Debates for his sacrifice and his role in safeguarding our Nation's borders.
His name will be added to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Valor
Memorial in Washington, DC, joining the names of 195 officers and agents of
the former U.S. Customs Service, the Border Patrol, the Immigration and
Naturalization Service, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
who lost their lives in the line of duty.

To honor Agent Debates and the sacrifice he made protecting our Nation, all
flags within the Department of Homeland Security, including all CBP
facilities, will be lowered to half-staff from December 22 through sunset on
December 24, 2004.

Agent Debates is the fourth CBP Border Patrol agent to die in the line of
duty since December 16, 2003 - the only Department of Homeland Security
employees to die in the line of duty since the Department was created in
March 2003. We must never forget the very real danger of carrying out our
homeland security mission. Tragically, Agent Debates' death reminds us of
the difficult and demanding task of securing our Nation's borders.



Robert C. Bonner
Commissioner