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Border Patrol Agents Recover Body from Rio Grande

Release Date
Wed, 06/26/2019

EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station marine unit recovered the body of a deceased man from the Rio Grande River.

“The recovery of a dead body is one of the grimmest tasks performed by Border Patrol agents and other law enforcement agencies,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. “My condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased individual.”

On June 25, Border Patrol agents conducting marine operations encountered a deceased person approximately two miles northeast of the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River. The body was recovered by personnel from the Eagle Pass Fire Department with the assistance of Border Patrol marine agents, and subsequently turned over to the custody of a Maverick County Justice of the Peace.

Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019, there have been 21 deaths encountered by Border Patrol agents within Del Rio Sector.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 27, 2024