The Cochise County Sheriff’s Workplace has launched the identification of the Border Patrol agent killed in an ATV crash Tuesday night time in Douglas, Arizona.
Officers stated 44-year-old Freddy Ortiz was killed when he struck a hard and fast mild pole whereas driving an all-terrain automobile close to an intersection in Douglas, about 1,000 toes from the U.S.-Mexico border. Ortiz was responding to a name for undocumented immigrants and was heading westbound on West Worldwide Avenue, stated Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for CCSO.
At 7:09 p.m., the Sheriff’s Workplace obtained a name of a single automobile collision close to Chino Street and West fifth Avenue in Douglas. Border Patrol brokers found the accident scene, and medical
personnel had been dispatched, Capas stated.
Ortiz was transported to the
Copper Queen Hospital in Douglas, the place he was pronounced lifeless, she stated.
Ortiz’s “on-duty demise is a tragedy
and a stark reminder of the damaging nature of our mission,” stated John
Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent for the Tucson Sector. “I’m grateful for all of the
Border Patrol brokers, first responders, and medical workers who tried
to avoid wasting his life. My ideas and prayers are together with his household, pals,
and family members.”
“It’s an extremely unhappy day for our brothers
and sisters in Border Patrol and we have now solely the best stage of
respect for the job these courageous souls do each single day. God bless all
of these in his work household and his residence household, and know we’re right here
in case you want us,” stated Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels.
“All public security companies inside Cochise County stand in mourning with
our brothers in arms, United States Border Patrol, and their households as
they grieve for the lack of one in every of their very own,” wrote Capas.
The investigation is being continued by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Workplace and U.S Customs and Border Safety’s, Workplace of Skilled Accountability and extra info will likely be launched because it turns into accessible, she stated.
Whereas brokers usually makes use of ATVs and bikes to patrol the desert alongside the U.S.-Mexico border, a number of brokers have been significantly injured and two brokers have died in crashes involving the autos during the last decade.
In December, Border Patrol Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. died from accidents sustained after he crashed his ATV whereas on patrol close to McAllen, Texas.
In 2018, a Border Patrol agent was significantly injured when he crashed his ATV right into a marker signal close to a cattle guard at Freeway 80 and was thrown onto a freeway close to Douglas. Because the agent stood, he was hit by a passing automobile.
In 2016, 37-year-old Manuel Alvarez died from a motorbike crash whereas on obligation on the Tohono O’odham Nation south of Sells, Arizona.