Wed 6 Feb 2008
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
February 4, 2008 – 6:14PM
About 15 members of a statewide law enforcement motorcycle club rode to Yuma Monday morning to present a $2,500 check to the family of a U.S. Border Patrol agent killed in the line of duty.
“It’s amazing to see how people can be so generous during such a hard time for us,” said Erica Aguilar, widow of Senior Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar, who was killed last month when he was struck by a suspected smuggling vehicle. “Louie was part of an unspoken brotherhood that supports each other, and they continue to support us.”
Known as the Choir Boys, the motorcycle group is made up of retired law enforcement officers who enjoy riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and are dedicated to helping survivors of fallen law enforcement officers.
Rich Epps, Region 3 Choir Boys president who rode to Yuma on his motorcycle from Lake Havasu City, said club members were deeply affected when they read about Aguilar’s death and contacted the Yuma Border Patrol.
“It’s nice to know we can help someone who is going through a tough time like this,” Epps said.
Epps said it will be some time before Aguilar begins receiving benefits from her husband’s death. The money they gave her is meant to help her out financially until then.
“There are no strings attached or papers to sign; the money is hers, Epps said. “Before his benefits begin, the money will stop coming in. She may get his last paycheck, but that is it
until then.”
The Choir Boys gave Aguilar the money during a check presentation held in a conference room at the U.S. Border Patrol station on Avenue A.
“Your husband made the ultimate sacrifice to help keep us safe, so we want to give you a little something to help you through this tough time,” Epps said as he gave her the check.
Members of the motorcycle club stood along the walls in the room watching the ceremony, and Aguilar, who was holding their young daughter, went around afterwards hugging each of them.
“Thank you so much for helping us,” she told them.
Luis Aguilar was killed in the Imperial Sand Dunes on Jan. 19 when he was struck by the driver of a suspected smuggling vehicle he was trying to stop with spike strips.
The vehicle, a Hummer, was being pursued by U.S. agents and was traveling south through the sand dunes in an effort to return to Mexico when it struck the agent, the patrol said.
The driver of vehicle was identified as 22-year-old Jesus Navarro. He was arrested Jan. 22 in Sonora and is currently being held in Mexicali, Baja Calif., while waiting to be tried on smuggling charges.
Aguilar was honored in a public funeral service Jan. 24 in Yuma. The ceremony was attended by thousands of law enforcement officers from around the state and included a funeral procession with 400 law enforcement vehicles.
He was laid to rest in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
The members of the Choir Boys came from Phoenix, Globe and Lake Havasu City.
“It was a bit cold this morning,” Epps said of his 2-1/2-hour ride. “It was fun. I enjoy riding.”