Posted on 05/11/2007 11:54:57 PM PDT by BJungNan
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the Imperial County Sheriff's Department and the Border Patrol have confirmed that deputies have found a dead Border Patrol K-9 agent near the Salton Sea.
Border Patrol agents responded to a call of a missing agent around 11 AM Friday morning and began searching the Coachella Canal around noon.
The body of the agent - who remains unidentified -- was found in that canal and appeared to have drowned.
Sheriff's Investigators from the Imperial County Sheriff's Department and Border Patrol agents remain on scene investigating.
Authorities say they found the body at Mineral Spa Road near Niland
Deputies say they found the person's dog running around in the area, but, then, later discovered the person's vehicle and body.
Deputies believe the person's death was caused by drowning, and they believe the person was on duty.
Sheriff's Investigators from the Imperial County Sheriff's Department and Border Patrol agents remain on scene investigating.
If you have any information on this case, you can call the Imperial County Sheriff's Department at 1-800-452-2051.
Si me amigo!
Those gringos need to leave the migrating Democratic voters alone.
Lock up the ICE agents!
Lock up the Haditha Marines!
Lock up the Christian High School student who wears a Bible verse on his shirt.
And don’t forget to give more money to the RNC!
Adios gringos!
Border agent found dead in canal
The investigation into what caused the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent continues after he was found Friday floating in a canal near the Riverside and Imperial county line, which agency officials say is a hot spot for smuggling drugs and people.
The death of Agent Richard Goldstein, 37, is being investigated as a homicide, said Sgt. Jose Soto with the Imperial County Sheriff's Department. All deaths are routinely handled as homicides until cause is determined, he said.
Soto said he expects the coroner's office to determine on Monday whether Goldstein's death was a homicide.
Goldstein, who was based at the Indio station and served with the Border Patrol for five years, was found dead in the Coachella Canal near Niland, east of the Salton Sea and about 40 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent David Kim said.
Goldstein lived in the Coachella Valley and is survived by a wife and two children, Kim said.
Kim said Goldstein, who worked with a dog, was reported missing shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday after his service sport utility vehicle was found parked and idling along the Coachella Canal, with his dog sitting next to it. He said Goldstein, who was assigned to work an area along Highway 111, had been routinely patrolling the area.
A search involving multiple local, state and federal agencies was immediately initiated, Kim said. Sometime later, a fellow Border Patrol agent discovered Goldstein's body floating in the canal, he said.
Kim said the area where Goldstein's body was found is mostly barren, with the Chocolate Mountains rising a couple thousand feet in elevation to the east.
He said he did not see if the agent's body bore any signs of foul play. He said investigators are looking into possible connections between the agent's death and known criminal activities in that area.
"Coachella Canal is often used by narcotic and human smugglers who want to bypass the border agents," Kim said.
A few years ago, he said, there was an agent-involved shooting in the area involving smugglers, he said. There were no deaths from that incident.
The Coachella Canal is 60 feet wide at the top and 15 feet deep. It runs from the All American Canal that roughly parallels the U.S.-Mexico border 122 miles along the east side of the Salton Sea to Indio, according to the Coachella Valley Water District.
The canal, mostly lined with concrete, delivers Colorado River water to farms in the area. Border Patrol officials mourned the death of Goldstein.
"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," Carl L. McClafferty, chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector, said in a statement.
Border Patrol spokesman Enrique Lozano said he could not immediately determine how many agents had been killed in the line of duty or when the last agent was killed.
“Do they have women border patrol?”
They sure do. It made me wonder too; they’re so vague.
Just so that you all know, your words are not falling on deaf ears. My brother Richard is the border patrol agent you’re all talking about. Richard was a great young man who loved his job, his family and his dog Carlo, his partner. He was liked and respected by his fellow agents and loved by his friends and family and will be deeply missed. We all believe what happened to him was an accident and we only hope his death was quick and that he did not suffer. He was instrumental in capturing drug runners and other criminals. He served his country with honor and should be remembered as a hero. Services for him will be held on Thursday in Calif and hopefully on Sunday in Buffalo, NY where he was from. Your prayers are very much appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your post. As a co-worker of Rich I want you to know that he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please continue to let us know if there is anything that his BP family can do for you all. God Bless you all!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.