In Memory of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios

On Monday, November 29, 2021, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios died in the line of duty. The US Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol announced the loss.

Agent Barrios, age 51, died due to complications of COVID19. He likely contracted the virus on the job. Barrios had served at the Tucson Sector. Barrios was a customs and border agent who served US residents by ensuring that items or people that enter the country are deemed safe. Barrios had served as a border patrol agent for over eighteen years.

As a border patrol agent with many years of experience, he has been with border patrol since the Department of Homeland Security took over the agency. This change occurred shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Barrios was proud to be an agent and protect his community.

COVID19 has caused the loss of more border patrol agents and other homeland security officers than at any other time in our history. The virus has become the number one cause of death for all law enforcement officers in the US. The federal government addressed the concerns of families of law enforcement officers who were afraid to lose a loved one on the job. Law enforcement is one of the occupations with a higher risk for infection. The legislation was passed to declare these losses the line of duty status to financially protect families from losing a loved one to the virus.

Before joining DHS, Barrios was a veteran of the US Military. Barrios served in the US Navy from 1990 to 1995.

United States Department of Homeland Security

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal cabinet-level agency. The agency is responsible for the public and border security of the United States. DHS was formed in 2002 in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. DHS is responsible for the safety of US borders and residents. This can include anti-terrorism programs, border security, immigration, customs, cybersecurity, disaster prevention, and management.

Today, DHS has nearly a quarter-million employees, with various departments, responsibilities, and duties stationed worldwide. Barrios worked for DHS, under US Customs and Border Patrol, at the Tucson Sector Headquarters.

US Customs and Border Protection

The US Customs and Border Protection is the agency that regulates international trade, collects import duties or taxes, and enforces US regulations that include business, customs, and immigration policy. These are the law enforcement officers that keep the US borders safe. Of all the departments and divisions that fall under DHS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency in the United States. CBP currently has roughly 46,000 sworn agents under their command and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Tucson Sector Headquarters

Barrios was assigned to the Tucson Sector. The Tucson Sector office is located in Arizona and covers most of the state line. Agents like Barrios patrol from the New Mexico State line to the Yuma County line. Statistics demonstrate that the Tucson Sector is one of the most active in the country. This sector has nine individual stations and employs more than 3700 agents.

Remembrances

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios leaves behind his wife, two children, and two siblings. The Barrios family will join the hundreds of thousands of American families who have lost a loved one to the deadly pandemic. In addition, area law enforcement agencies, friends, family, residents, and neighbors will join the Barrios family to mourn the loss of Agent Barrios.

US Customs and Border Patrol posted the notice of the loss of Agent Barrios on their site and social media. “Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios passed away on November 29, 2021. Agent Barrios will be remembered for his diligent service to the nation and for his bravery in the face of danger. He was assigned to the Brian A. Terry Station in Tucson Sector at the time of his passing.”

Tucson Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent John R. Modlin posted news of the loss on Twitter. “I am grieved to inform you of the line-of-duty death of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios of the Tucson Sector. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. We will always remember his service.”

Chief of CBP Raul Ortiz also posted news of the loss. “The entire USBP family mourns the loss of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Martin Barrios, who sadly passed away in the line of duty. Please keep his family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts.”