Border Patrol sees spike in suicides

08-16-2010 • AP (video)

After a bad day on the job as a Border Patrol agent, Eddie DeLaCruz went home and began discussing with his wife how to celebrate her upcoming birthday. Then he casually pressed his government-issued handgun under his chin and pulled the trigger.

"It was the ugliest sound I ever heard in my life," his widow, Toni DeLaCruz, recalled of that day last November. "He just collapsed."

A month later, one of DeLaCruz's colleagues at the Fort Hancock border post put a bullet through his head, too.

3 Comments in Response to Border Patrol sees spike in suicides

Comment by Checkpoint USA

Entered on: 8/16/2010 7:28:48 PM

I take it you haven't been reading either the Department of Justice's or the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General Reports on the U.S. Border Patrol over the past half decade Norman Dong. Corruption within the agency has been skyrocketing and veteran agents have been leaving the agency because of it's lax hiring practices.

Powell hit the nail right on the head which is probably why you're pissed by his comment.

Comment by Norman Dong

Entered on: 8/16/2010 2:18:50 PM

For Powell to make a generalized blanket statement such as his comment about the USBP suicide.....it shows his true feelings about law enforcement in general....hope you never need a cop pal!

Comment by Powell Gammill

Entered on: 8/16/2010 8:39:15 AM

These are the people who pull you over. These are the people who DISARM you. Crazy people issued guns, a fine hat, a shiny badge, indemnity and the color of authoritay.

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