The National Border Patrol Council is calling once again on the Obama administration to recognize Border Patrol Agent Javier “Harvey” Vega Jr. as an American hero whose life was one of service to our nation. Since his death in 2014, the Obama administration has refused to honor Vega.
According to the Council, Agent Vega served honorably in the United States Marine Corps before becoming a Border Patrol Agent. His last heroic acts were to protect his family and others from criminals who intended to rob and harm them. Agent Vega placed himself in harm’s way to defend others, ultimately sacrificing his life. He acted courageously and unselfishly, while demonstrating the best qualities of a Border Patrol Agent.
On August 3, 2014, Agent Vega was fishing in South Texas with his family. The quiet still of the South Texas afternoon was broken as two Mexican Nationals, both with multiple deportations, attempted to rob and harm the Vega family. Javier quickly responded as a law enforcement professional should and intervened to protect the lives of others. Shots were fired and Agent Vega was fatally struck in the chest. His last words to his family were “keep shooting!” His father, Javier Sr. was shot in the hip as the illegal aliens fled the scene. They were later captured and are scheduled to stand trial for Capital Murder.
Since that time, neither U.S. Customs and Border Protection nor the Obama Administration have reached out to the Vega family. 670 days later, Commissioner Kerlikowske refuses to make the declaration official, denying Agent Vega the honor he deserves.
Chris Cabrera stated, “I do not know how the Commissioner and the Administration can look themselves in the mirror. This is a national disgrace.”
Agent Vega’s mother, Marie, appearing on the Council’s Green Line radio show, said, “CBP needs to honor one of their finest agents. If they had seen how he acted that day, the way he protected his family, there would be no doubt he deserves this honor. This is a terrible thing for them to do. He deserves to be honored.”
Agent Vega’s widow, Andrea, echoed the same sentiment. “He deserves to be honored. Here is someone who spent half his life in service to his country in the Marines and the Border Patrol. He did it with pride. It is time for our country to honor him. It is time,” Brown said.
Art Del Cueto, a Border Patrol agent and Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council, stated that “CBP has lost their moral compass. It is time for them to find it and do the right thing. It is time to honor Javier and put his star on the wall.”
Council spokesman Shawn Moran encouraged the public to “please call your Congressional Representatives and ask them to mandate CBP to do the right thing. They must honor Agent Vega for the life he lived, and the ultimate sacrifice he paid. It is time to honor Javier.”