In Memory of Officer Carlo Jay Cayabyab
US Customs Officer Dies from COVID19
Law enforcement across the United States and globally have suffered the impact of COVID19. The coronavirus knows no bounds when it comes to employment or politics. California authorities were saddened to announce the loss of another officer to the coronavirus. US Customs Agent Officer Carlo Jay Cayabyab, age 47, died from coronavirus complications on September 16, 2020. He had served his community as a customs agent with the US Department of Homeland Security for over 15 years.
It is presumed that Cayabyab’s point of infection was while on duty at the Tecate Port Authority. This port of entry has had several waves of outbreaks since the beginning of the viral pandemic.
While employed by the DHS, Carlos has had many achievements. He was involved in the ATCET (Anti-Terrorism Counter Enforcement Team), Narcotics Security Detail Team, MFF (Mobile Field Force), and was a Medical First Responder. Cayabyab had also received the Blue Eagle award, which is the highest one can attain in California.
US Department of Homeland Security
The US Department of Homeland Security was formed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks through the Homeland Security Act. Though the youngest cabinet department within the US government, it is now the third-largest as it has taken many agencies under its responsibilities. The Homeland Security Council is responsible for the agency’s oversight, which employs more than 240,000 American residents. The cabinet department’s main mission is to create and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the United States from terrorist threats or attacks.
US Customs and Border Control
Officer Carlo Jay Cayabyab was a US Customs Agent. The US Customs and Border Control is the largest law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security’s direction and management. The agency is responsible for the US’s primary border control organization. The department helps to facilitate trade, collect tariffs, and enforce US regulations. The agency covers trade, customs, and immigration. The CBP is considered one of the largest federal law enforcement agencies in the US, with more than 46,000 sworn officers protecting US borders.
Tecate Port of Entry
The last assignment for Officer Cayabyab was at the Tecate Port of Entry. This port has had several waves of coronavirus outbreaks, including a very large and deadly outbreak in April 2020.
The Tecate Port of Entry is one of three ports of entry in the San Diego and Tijuana metropolitan area. The Tecate Port connects California State Highway 188 with Paseo Lazero Cardenas, a spur of Mexico Federal Highway 2, as well as Federal Highway 3 to the south. It is the smallest of the three ports in the San Diego area.
Family Broken by COVID19
COVID19 has broken many families apart, ravaging loved ones of all ages and occupations. His mother and his two siblings survive officer Carlo Jay Cayabyab. He also had extended family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers who will support his family in their loss and join with them to celebrate the life he lived.
