In Memory of Border Patrol Agent Juan Manuel Urrutia
Texas Border Patrol Agent Dies from COVID19
Friday, May 28, 2021, Texas authorities were saddened to announce the loss of yet another law enforcement officer in their state to the coronavirus. Overall, Texas has lost significantly more law enforcement officers to the COVID19 pandemic than any other state.
Border Patrol Agent Juan Manuel Urrutia, age 45, died from complications of COVID19. Urrutia likely contracted the virus through his work as a border patrol agent at the Brownsville Border Patrol Station. He had served his country and community with the border patrol for more than 18 years.
US Department of Homeland Security
Beginning in 2003, the US Federal Government initiated the US Department of Homeland Security. This was in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. DHS is the third-largest federal cabinet-level agency in the US. Many other agencies that have an impact on homeland security are under the management of DHS. These agencies include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Customs and Border Protection, and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Many similar agencies are part of DHS, leading DHS as one of the prominent law enforcement agencies in the US.
Currently, DHS employs more than 245,000 employees and operates on a budget of $51.6 billion annually. As a member of Customs and Border Patrol, Agent Urrutia was a part of DHS.
Customs and Border Protection
The US Department of Customs and Border Protection is America’s first defense at our borders. This is our primary border control agency. Individually speaking, CBP is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States. Today, the CBP employs more than 47,000 sworn federal agents.
Brownsville Border Patrol Station
Agent Urrutia was assigned to the Brownsville Border Patrol Station. The Brownsville Station is located near McAllen, Texas. It was initially established to stop the flow of Chinese into the US in 1918. The station is along the Rio Grande.
Agent Urrutia and other agents at the Brownsville Border Patrol Station utilized many types of tactics to preserve border integrity in the area. Some of these include line-watch, Horse Patrol, Bike Patrol, and Boat Patrol. Agents were trained for ATV patrols and remote video monitoring systems.
Remembrances
Border Patrol Agent Juan Manuel Urrutia is survived by his wife, brothers, and sisters. He also leaves behind his best friend, his dog Harley. Many extended family members, neighbors, and friends will gather to celebrate the life lived by Agent Urrutia. The support of those around the Urrutia family will help them through their difficult time.
CBP Commissioner Troy Miller posted the announcement of the loss of Agent Urrutia and condolences for the family. “I am deeply saddened to share the loss of USBP Agent Juan M. Urrutia. He began his career in 2003 and was most recently assigned to the Brownsville Station. Agent Urrutia was also a certified EMT/Paramedic. The entire @CBP family mourns his loss. He will never be forgotten.”
Salute the Blue, a community organization that supports law enforcement shared condolences on their social media page. “Honoring the life of Agent Juan Urrutia: May you rest in eternal peace, HERO. CBP is mourning the loss of US Border Patrol Agent Juan M. Urrutia. He began his career in 2003 and was most recently assigned to Brownsville Station. A native of Brownsville, he was also a certified EMT/Paramedic. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will never be forgotten.”
