Martin Barrios, a supervisory border patrol agent in the Tucson sector, was killed in the line of duty on Monday, according to a tweet from the chief of the U.S Border Patrol.
Barrios served in the organization for almost two decades, beginning in 2003.
“The entire USBP family mourns the loss of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios who sadly passed away in the line of duty. Please keep his family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts,” Chief Raul Ortiz detailed.
The entire USBP family mourns the loss of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios who sadly passed away in the line of duty. Please keep his family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/KkyX1V3E2W
— Chief Raul Ortiz (@USBPChief) December 3, 2021
The organization did not immediately provide a cause of death for the fallen agent.
After the announcement, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday.
“The tragic loss of Agent Martin Barrios is felt all across Arizona,” said Governor Ducey. “His years of dedicated service in the Navy and as a border patrol agent helped protect our state and nation. Agent Barrios’ death is a sobering reminder of the danger law enforcement professionals face every day — and we are grateful for his unwavering bravery. Our deepest condolences go to his family, loved ones and colleagues with the Tucson sector border patrol. In honor of Agent Barrios’ life, service and bravery, I’ve ordered flags be lowered to half-staff,” Ducey said in a statement.
At least three border patrol agents have died in the line of duty this year alone.
U.S. Border Patrol Anibal A. Perez, who also served in the Tucson sector, was also killed in the line of duty.
Earlier this year, Tucson Border Patrol agent Daniel Cox was killed in a head-on crash while on duty. Ducey, in a similar manner, ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
