Arizona border patrol killed 10-18 miles north of border trying to protect illegals from bandits in desert

12/15/10, "The U.S. Border Patrol agent (Brian Terry) killed Tuesday night in Arizona was shot after he confronted a group of bandits believed to be preying on illegal immigrants in the desert north of the border, the head of the Border Patrol union said Wednesday....

• T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, said Brian A. Terry was operating as part of a tactical unit conducting surveillance for bandits when they encountered a group of five people and a gunfight broke out.

"They had received information about bandit activity in that area," Bonner said. "It's an area that is notorious for that, despite the fact it is so far from the border. I think it was about 18 miles from the border."...

• Bonner said "border bandits" typically prey on illegal immigrants in the area, accosting them with guns and stealing whatever money or possessions they have.

"The border is not secure," Bonner said. "Those who say that it's secure are either misinformed or they're being disingenuous. If you have bandits operating that far north into the United States and there's enough activity to sustain that (criminal enterprise), it tells you

• there's a lot of traffic getting by the Border Patrol."...

"The Arizona Cattlemen's Association also issued a written statement expressing sadness at Terry's death."The Arizona Cattlemen's Association knows what it is like to lose one of your own and we realize the support that is necessary to get the family through this difficult time," the association's statement said. "We are prepared to provide support, in any way possible that is needed for Agent Terry's family.""...

• "Terry, (age 40), a native of Detroit had served 3 1/2 years in the Border Patrol and four years in the military, Bonner said."...

One report said the area was 18 miles north of the border, another estimated it 10 miles: "The scene is about 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border and west of Interstate 19."... The US has no respect for its borders, why should anyone else? Mets security personnel attempts to catch up with man carrying Mexican flag across the field, Mets game v Arizona Diamondbacks in NYC, 7/30/10, ap

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