Border Patrol to Run 68-Mile Relay In Memory of Fallen Agent

CAMPO, CA — A 68-mile relay run was set to begin just before sunset Thursday in Campo in honor of fallen Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas of the Campo Border Patrol Station, who died in the line of duty on July 23, 2009.

The seventh annual relay was set to start at 6 p.m. at Robert Rosas' memorial cross, located near the border fence in Campo, and end at 7 a.m. Friday at his gravesite in his hometown of El Centro.

San Diego Sector and El Centro Sector Border Patrol participants will run 22, 2.55-mile legs throughout the night to complete the relay run that memorializes Rosas' former call sign, C-255, according to a Border Patrol news release.

According to the Border Patrol, Rosas was born and raised in El Centro, and he often was referred to as the “Mayor of El Centro,” due to his popularity and his friendly, witty demeanor. He graduated from Central Union High School, where he met his wife, Rosalie.

Prior to becoming a Border Patrol agent, he worked as a corrections officer for six years at Centinela State Prison, in addition to serving two years as a reserve police officer for the El Centro Police Department.
Agent Rosas began his career with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 22, 2006, as a member of the 621st Session at the U.S. Border Patrol Academy.

On the night of July 23, 2009, while patrolling near Campo, Rosas responded to suspicious activity in an area notorious for alien and drug smuggling, when he was shot and killed by unidentified assailants, Border Patrol officials said.

A joint investigation, to include the cooperation and assistance of the Government of Mexico, led to the identification and arrest of four subjects who were subsequently extradited to the United States to face justice.

To date, four of the assailants have pled guilty and were convicted for their participation in the July 2009 robbery and murder. The fifth suspect, Jose Juan Chacon-Morales, remains a fugitive and there is a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to his arrest or location.

"The murder of Agent Rosas resulted in the loss of a colleague, friend, brother, son, loving husband and father of two young children," said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Mark Endicott, San Diego Sector.

"Agent Rosas' dedication to duty, country, and family shall never be forgotten."