Local activists honor fallen border agent outside Upland City Hall

[Borderwatch]

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_15589184

UPLAND - A candlelight vigil was held Friday outside City Hall to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the death of a fallen border patrol agent.

Agent Robert Rosas, 30, was shot and killed on July 23, 2009 by a group Mexican citizens illegally crossing the border near Campo.

Claremont-based anti-illegal immigration group, We The People, California's Crusader, organized the vigil.

The group passed a card for Rosas' wife and two young children.

"We're keeping his memory alive," said Robin Hvidston, member of We The People. "He didn't give his live in vain. We the American public, the people, appreciate that he paid the ultimate sacrifice, the giving of his life."

Rosas was shot multiple times in the back of the head after investigating suspicious activity along the border.

Multiple people were arrested for Rosas' murder, but there are two unknown suspects currently at large.

Christian Daniel Castro-Alvarez, 17, turned himself in and pleaded guilty shooting Rosas. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Britt Craig of Mission Viejo, a member of the Minuteman, was camped out near the location of Rosas' murder.

Craig spoke about Rosas during the vigil.

Craig said he spoke with Rosas earlier in that day of his death.

"He told me that they had been following four or five people on the south side of the border, watching them go down the border and they would occasionally stop
Advertisement
and mess with the wall, where there was a wall, basically as if they were trying to annoy the Border Patrol," Craig said.

He said he saw two people who may have been part of the group Rosas was following. He called Rosas to tell him what he saw.

"I had this little Chihuahua that was real mean and I was joking about (Rosas) taking him," Craig said. "I said `are you sure you don't want to take the attack Chihuahua?' He said `We're going to catch these guys. I'll come back and tell you about it."'

That was the last time they spoke.

"I watched him drive. I had him in my vision off and on for about a mile and then he turned," he said. "It got fully dark, and I heard eight shots."

Craig called the agents to let them know what he heard.

"I called them up I said I think one of your guys is in trouble," said Craig, who watched several helicopters and vehicles rush to the scene within 10 minutes of the call.

"Of course (Rosas) never came back to tell me about it, so out of the information loop I was afraid it had been him that got shot," Craig said. "A couple days later I talked to some Border Patrol people, and they told me it was indeed him."

Since Rosas' death, Craig said he has seen some changes at the border.

"After the murder they started doubling up a lot and feeling, not more cautious, but a little more aware of the danger," Craig said. "And they repaired the fence where Agent Rosas was killed."

sandra.emerson@inlandnewspapers.com
909-483-8555

--------------


Agent Rosa' Cousin Joe, and Ice Agent attended with his wife and daughter as did a retired Immigration Agent from Chile.

--------------

[Borderwatch]

[Borderwatch]

[Patriotic Army Mom]

Great job to all of you. I'm sorry that this one had to be missed. The pictures as usual are great.