United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Thursday, July 23, 2009
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: C255
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 23, 2009
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 40 years
Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas was shot and killed while on patrol near Campo, California, at approximately 9:15 pm. He was shot multiple times from ambush after exiting his patrol vehicle on the Shockey Truck Trail along the border.
A group of five armed men had traveled in Mexico to the U.S.-Mexico border with the intent of robbing a United States Border Patrol agent. Three of the men crossed into the United States while the remaining two men remained in Mexico to act as lookouts.
The three men who crossed into the United States set up an ambush and lured Agent Rosas out of his vehicle. He was shot multiple times before the men robbed him of his gear bag, handcuffs, firearm, and night vision goggles.
Responding agents located Agent Rosas suffering from several gunshot wounds.
Four of the five suspects, including the 17-year-old believed to have shot Agent Rosas, were apprehended. The subject who fired the shots was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Agent Rosas had served with the United States Border Patrol for three years. He is survived by his wife, 2-year-old son, and 11-month-old daughter.