Border News: U.S. Border Patrol Employee Killed in Line of Duty in South Texas
21-year-old Border Patrol Processing Coordinator Jose Martin Rodriguez-Lua was killed when his Border Patrol van was struck head-on by another driver.
Condolences as well as fund-raising efforts are pouring into the family of a young Border Patrol employee who was killed in the line of duty in South Texas on Friday, November 1, 2024.
21-year-old Border Patrol Processing Coordinator Jose Martin Rodriguez-Lua was killed when the Border Patrol transport van in which he was riding was struck head-on in Hidalgo County by another motorist who caused the collision and died at the scene. A Border Patrol Agent who was driving the government vehicle involved in the accident was also injured - and was released from a hospital after undergoing treatment.
A GoFundme account set up by a friend of Lua's family for funeral expenses had raised more than $18,000 as of Sunday night November 3, 2024.
Elected government officials are publicly offering condolences to the family:
"Heidi and I are praying for the family, loved ones, and colleagues of fallen Border Patrol processing coordinator Jose Martin Rodriguez-Lua who died in a car crash last night, and for a swift recovery for the Border Patrol agent who was injured in the crash. This is a heartbreaking tragedy — Rodriguez-Lua was only 21 years old. May God heal and comfort his family, the men and women in green, and his loved ones as they mourn his passing. -U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
"Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Jose Martin Rodriguez-Lua. May he rest in peace, and I pray for strength and solace for his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones." -U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez
Funeral & Memorial service announcements are pending.