Border Patrol Agent Down

[Willowdared]

Agent dies; heat might be to blame

By Pauline Repard
STAFF WRITER

July 28, 2007

A 31-year-old Border Patrol agent died of unknown causes Thursday after tracking suspected illegal border-crossers near Jacumba, federal authorities said yesterday.

Agent Eric Cabral, who joined the Border Patrol in September 2005, worked out of the agency's Boulevard station.

It appeared that Cabral died of dehydration or heat stroke, though he had a small amount of water left in his canteen, Border Patrol Supervisory Agent Richard Smith said.

Smith said he believes Cabral is the first agent in San Diego County to die in this manner, if an autopsy confirms that his death was heat-related.

Cabral and his partner began tracking a group of people through rocky, mountainous terrain north of Interstate 8 and Carrizo Gorge Road about 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

The agents spent most of the day apart but in constant radio contact. Temperatures topped 100 degrees, Smith said.

About 4:30 p.m., Smith said, the two agents met and agreed to give up tracking for the day. Each headed toward his patrol vehicle, parked in different spots.

When Cabral didn't appear 10 to 15 minutes later or answer his radio, his partner summoned other agents to look for him. They found him, unresponsive, near a set of railroad tracks about a quarter-mile from the De Anza Springs Resort. Cabral was flown by Mercy Air to a hospital, where he was declared dead about 6:40 p.m., Smith said.

“It's a tragic reminder of the risks agents face every day,” Smith said.

He said there was nothing suspicious about Cabral's death, though he had suffered a head injury believed to have been caused when he collapsed.

Cabral, a San Diego native, is survived by his parents, three sisters, and a girlfriend and her three children with whom he lived. Memorial services are pending.

[Jenna]

Rest in peace.

[kjlaw]

RIP Brother thoughts and prayers enroute to the family and friends of the fallen

[Just KC]

RIP

[Ducky]

RIP


Guys, make sure you take care of yourselves.

[Buttercup]

RIP

[CTR man]

Prayers to the fallen officer and his family and friends.

Heat exhaustion / stroke can and will kill you.

100 degree and above weather is not to be taken lightly.

Most of us in the southwest US know this for a fact.

[k-9max]

R.I.P Brother,


Just remember one thing,

Some will stare, some will glare, some will walk, some will talk,
some will put you to the test, but always remember, THE BEST NEVER REST!!!!!!!

Someday, we will meet upstairs brother!

[iso607]

Rest in peace, brother.

[Lawdog32]

Rest in peace.

[Ianl6]

Rest In Peace.

[dapples]

RIP

[Lo523]

RIP

[taco101]

En paz descanse. Blue skies bro.

[Illiy]

RIP

[Trojan 42]

Tragic. RIP.

[10-42Adam]

RIP