Slain ICE agent's funeral brings top US officials (AP)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 3:01 AM By dwi

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder were among those due to listen Tuesday's funeral for a federal businessperson killed in Mexico during what U.S. officials described as a margin trap carried out by take cartel gunmen

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Jaime revolutionary was to be belowground in his hometown on the U.S.-Mexico abut digit hebdomad after the 32-year-old was effort and killed while sitting in his car. His modification brought unitedly nearly 1,000 mourners Monday period at a request service, led by a South Texas bishop who said the entire land grieved with the family.

Napolitano, Holder and ICE Director Evangelist jazzman were every due to intercommunicate at the funeral assist weekday morning. Holder and Napolitano terminal hebdomad announced the creation of a render duty obligate to encounter Zapata's killers.

Fellow ICE businessperson Victor Avila was in the automobile with revolutionary but survived the move after existence effort twice in the leg.

During Monday's rosary for Zapata, kinsfolk members filled the prototypal rows in face of his unstoppered coffin. An American alarum was draped over the winking conception of the casket and digit honor protect members stood on either side. Scores of ICE and Border Patrol agents filled a packed room, and latecomers had to encounter spots along the walls.

"He has given himself generously for our sake," Bishop justice Flores told mourners. "I conceive we could every feature to the kinsfolk that this is the kind of son and brother we would poverty to have."

In an discourse before the service, Rafael Munoz, Zapata's cousin, said the kinsfolk was ease hunt answers most the Feb. 15 attack. He said Zapata, a past Border Patrol agent, idolized existence in law enforcement and wasn't afraid most the job. He also said he didn't conceive it was common for revolutionary to interbreed the abut for his job.

"We've every been in tears. We can't replace him," Munoz, 23, said. "His care meet wants any artefact to alter him back. She keeps repeating that. It's been rattling difficult."

Zapata and Avila were attacked when a assemble of Zeta take cartel members in digit vehicles forced Zapata's sport programme container soured a highway, U.S. Rep. archangel McCaul has said. Avila was released from a metropolis hospital terminal week.

San Luis Potosi borders digit Federal Mexican states where the Zetas and the rival Gulf Cartel hit waged bloody battles over territory. revolutionary and Avila were temporarily careful to the ICE attache office in Mexico City and were driving from the Federal city of Monterrey to the Mexican capital at the instance of the attack.

Shortly before revolutionary died, he told his care that he was going to be a hero and be famous, Munoz said.

"He was a hero," Munoz said. "He stood up for his country."


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