Border Patrol agent found dead

North County Times ^ | May 13, 2007 | By: North County Times Wire Services -

[Rottweilerson]

I’d say a dead body in waist deep water is a piece of evidence for a start. The shady lack of info is what is creeping me out to be honest.

[Dante3]

BUMP

[pandoraou812]

Prayers for Richard Goldstein, his family & all of our border agents. ~P~

[norton]

"Is there any evidence of such?"

There have been a couple of reports (fairly) recently of illegals trying to pull agents into water when they tried to aprehend them. I tried search but couldn't come up with the right keywords.

[CharlesWayneCT]

According to the story, he drowned. There is no report of being shot, or having any sign of struggle. The report DOES say they are investigating.

His K-9 dog is just sitting by his car, that suggests he was NOT attacked, because if he had been attacked, the dog would have defended him, and probably been killed. You wouldn’t expect the dog to be sitting quietly by the car if there was an assailant. Doesn’t prove there wasn’t, but it could be the guy just slipped and fell into the water, or had a heart attack.

The date on this story appears to be 5/13, although the article is undated (that’s the “date” on the directory name).

[CharlesWayneCT]

OK, not much of a "news blackout", just search the guy's name on Google.

He died last Friday, May 11th. He drowned, apparently rescuing his K-9 from the canal. Here's the story from a web site that lists "Downed officers":

Border Patrol Agent Richard Goldstein

Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: Friday, May 11, 2007
Incident Location: California

Agent Richard Goldstein drowned in the Coachella canal near Niland, California, east of the Salton Sea.

After he went missing, Agent Goldstein's canine partner was found sitting alongside his vehicle, which was parked and idling near the canal. The Customs and Border Protection and California Highway Patrol Air divisions assisted several Border Patrol Agents in the search for the missing agent. A short time later he was found drowned a few miles from his vehicle.

Agent Goldstein's K-9 partner, Carlo, was wet, and markings in the area indicate the dog had been in the water and struggled to get out of the canal. Early reports indicate Agent Goldstein entered the canal in order to rescue his K-9 partner.

Agent Goldstein was a five-year veteran of the Border Patrol and was assigned to the El Centro Sector's Indio Station. He is survived by his wife, two stepsons, parents, and a granddaughter, who was born the night before his death.

[Eternal_Bear]

If it had been murder, wouldn’t his firearm, wallet and vehicle also have been taken? I am keeping an open mind. It could have been murder, could have been something else.

[Ajnin]

I think he accidentally fell, knocked himself out and drowned. Just my opinion.

[Rottweilerson]

I have a 140pd rottweiler dog, shes fit, well trained & very strong. One Police dog is no match for 5 or more men. the K9 was probley beaten almost to the point of death. I’m just putting it out there.

[Eternal_Bear]

Thanks for posting some sanity and reason.

[Rottweilerson]

Yeah, I was reaching a little i guess.

[RegulatorCountry]

Early reports indicate Agent Goldstein entered the canal in order to rescue his K-9 partner.

A dog that can't swim. Imagine that.

[gubamyster]

ping

[ZULU]

“Goldstein’s death was being investigated by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department, officials said.”

Since he was a Federal Agent working on duty, Alberto should be investigating this. But I guess Alberto is too busy with his own personal agenda.

[Jeff Head]

They are trying to spin this as an accident and a drowning but no one is buying it.

According to people I know, there was blood on the canal near where he went in. Folks I know in the Border Patrol are up in arms over this in a big way. This guy was 37 with a wife and two kids.

[deport]

According to people I know, there was blood on the canal near where he went in. Folks I know in the Border Patrol are up in arms over this in a big way. This guy was 37 with a wife and two kids.

---

Jeff meet Ajnin......

I think he accidentally fell, knocked himself out and drowned. Just my opinion.

[deport]

Announcement from the Feds...... cause still under investigation.....

Border Patrol Agent Dies in Line of Duty

(Monday, May 14, 2007)

contacts for this news release

Indio, Calif. – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agent assigned to the El Centro Sector’s Indio Station died in the line of duty Friday afternoon while working along the Coachella Canal near Niland, California.

Agent Goldstein was reported missing after his service vehicle was found parked and idling along the Coachella Canal, with his service K-9 partner sitting alongside. A search and rescue operation was initiated immediately involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies. Sometime later, fellow Border Patrol agents discovered Agent Goldstein’s body floating in the canal.

Agent Goldstein died at the scene. He was 37-years old and a five-year veteran of the Border Patrol. The circumstances surrounding the death are currently under investigation by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department.

The Border Patrol family has suffered a great loss with the death of Border Patrol Agent Richard Goldstein,” said Carl L. McClafferty, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector. "The loss of such a promising young agent, bravely carrying out his duty, has created a great emptiness within our ranks. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his family, as we honor his courage and sacrifice."

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release

no address available at this time

El Centro Sector
Public Information Office

Phone:

(760) 352-3241

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229

Phone:	(202) 344-1770 or (800) 826-1471
Fax:	(202) 344-1393

[fieldmarshaldj]

May he rest in peace.

[machogirl]

the silence is “deafening”, if it had been someone else, “pc” category found floating, the speculation and condemnation by the drive bys would be rampant (most likely, don’t want to be condemned and have the racist, wacko, mud thrown at me, and by the way, if someone is so inclined to do so, it doesn’t stick on me)

[machogirl]

when it does happen, just like laredo nuevo and monterrey, they’ll just use the jihad head approach, then we will know that we have lost the war