Casa Grande Border Patrol agent dies in motorcycle accident

SELLS — Authorities say a U.S. Border Patrol agent based in Casa Grande died in a motorcycle accident while on duty in Southern Arizona.

Customs and Border Protection officials say 37-year-old Manuel Alvarez was killed Thursday in a crash near Sells on the Tohono O’odham reservation. Details of the accident weren’t immediately released, but sources say another agent was injured in the accident that involved their two motorcycles.
 

Agents gathered Thursday afternoon at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center and escorted the fallen agent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Tucson.
 

CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske said in a statement that Alvarez was stationed at the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector and had been an agent since July 2003.
 

He says Alvarez leaves behind a wife and four children and funeral plans are pending.
 

U.S. Representative Martha McSally, R-Tucson,  released the following statement in response to the agent’s death.
 

“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the death of Border Patrol Agent Manuel Alvarez. Agent Alvarez put his life on the line so that others could be kept safe.

He died while serving to protect our communities and our nation, and his death is felt by all Southern Arizonans.

There’s no denying the danger agents face every time they put on the uniform, and for that, they deserve our constant and unwavering gratitude.

My sincere condolences go out to Agent Alvarez’s family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”
 

Kerlikowske says he’s authorizing all CBP uniformed personnel to wear mourning bands until after Alvarez’s memorial services.

Border Patrol Agent Manuel Alvarez United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government

End of Watch: Thursday, August 11, 2016 

Incident Details Age: 37

Tour: 16 years

Badge # Not available

Cause: Motorcycle accident

Location: Arizona

Border Patrol Agent Manuel Alvarez was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Tohono O'Odham Nation Reservation south of Sells, Arizona.

He and another agent were conducting a dirt bike patrol of rugged land when their motorcycles collided, causing Agent Alvarez to suffer fatal injuries. Agent Alvarez had served with the United States Border Patrol for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.