EDINBURG, Texas – Two Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol (RGV) agents were honored with the South Texas Health System (STHS) Hometown Heroes Award for their role in rescuing four migrants in September.
On Oct. 20, STHS presented McAllen Border Patrol Station Agents Rene Reyes and Eric M. Madore the award at the McAllen Border Patrol Station. STHS McAllen CEO Todd Mann presented the agents with their official Hometown Heroes plaques as RGV Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) Brian S. Hastings, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Joel Martinez, McAllen Station leadership and agents applauded their fellow agent’s lifesaving efforts.
The nomination for the award stemmed from an event that was referenced in a RGV Communications News Release on Sept. 17, “…McAllen Border Patrol Station agents conducting riverine boat operations encountered a group of migrants that had just been attacked by a swarm of bees after crossing the Rio Grande near Penitas. A female migrant was stung multiple times and required medical assistance. A medical helicopter was requested to transport her to the hospital. Agents relocated her and the group to where the helicopter was standing by. Moments before departing, she advised agents that she was separated from her two-year-old daughter during the attack. Agents acted on the information ensuing a search. A short time later, the daughter was encountered in good health within another group of migrants. In total, four of the 12 migrants were transported to medical facilities, all expected to make a full recovery.”
Rio Grande Valley Chief Patrol Agent Brian S. Hastings stated, “Border Patrol Agents are trained to face a myriad of situations when performing their national security duties. Within a matter of seconds, agents may need to switch roles from that of law enforcement to first responder. For Border Patrol Agents Rene Reyes, and Eric M. Madore, their training as Emergency Medical Technicians was an invaluable skill they put to action, preventing any further injury to the involved individuals.”
Last fiscal year, RGV agents performed over 1,150 rescues throughout the Rio Grande Valley. RGV urges immigrants not to jeopardize their lives by illegally entering the United States. The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Photos: Eric M.Madore and Rene Reyes., CBP