Family Remembers Border Patrol Agent Killed On Duty
YUMA, AZ — A Border Patrol agent — and El Paso native — who was killed over the weekend while on duty in Arizona and Southern California, was rememberedMonday in a prayer vigil.
Luis Aguilar,32,died when he was struck by a car driven by asuspected drug smuggler. The incident happened some 20 miles west of Yuma, Arizona at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.
The area is along the international border and is often used by smugglers.
Officials report that Aguilar, a graduate of El Paso High School, was killed Saturday morning when a Humvee struck him.
Aguilar’s loved ones said prayers for him today in Yuma. His father tells ABC 7 that Aguilar was a standout wrestler for his high school team.
Aguilar’s father also said his son was supposed to be off on the day he was killed, but he was told they needed him, so he showed up for work.
“He loved what he was doing and he thought he had to do what he had to do,” Luis Aguilar, Sr. said. “He wanted to stop the drugs — the drug trafficking.”
The elder Aguilar has been the bailiff in the 41st District Courtin El Paso for Judge Mary Ann Bramblett for the past 19 years.
Bramblett said she watchedthe younger Aguilargrow up and he was like family to her.
“He takes great pride in serving his country. One of the ways he felt he could do that and really give back to the country is to serve in the Border Patrol. Serving his country and serving his family are the two most important things Louie had in his life,” Bramblett said.
