Life of Border Patrol agent Jose Barraza remembered in second-annual 5K

Friends, family and former agents came together to honor the life of Jose Barraza.

The Border Patrol agent was killed in a car crash two years ago.

The crash took place on the westbound lanes of I-10 at Mile Marker 78 near Esperanza.

Hundreds paid their respects at the second-annual BPA Joey Barraza 5K.

“It means so much to my boys to see everyone in the community and the patrol who still care and want to show love to my husband,” Barraza’s widow Donna Ybarra said. “We know that we have them by our side always.”

Barraza was assigned to the Sierra Blanca station of the Border Patrol’s Big Bend Sector. He was also a member of the canine unit.

“Put God first, love your country and show love to your family everyday,” agent Barraza’s friend Benjamin Gutierrez said. “I think that’s what Joey did everyday and it’s something certainly to follow. A great path to follow.” All the proceeds from the race went to the Joey Barraza Foundation that assists Border Patrol families during a line of duty death. “We take pride in what we do everyday. We’re out there trying to make a difference and protecting our country and making a difference in everybody’s life. I think Joey was the pinnacle of that,” Gutierrez said.