BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A U.S. federal agent killed in Mexico told his mother he was going to be a hero shortly before his death, a family member said Monday.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Jaime Zapata loved being in law enforcement and wasn’t scared about the job, cousin Rafael Munoz said. He said the family is still seeking answers about what U.S. officials describe as a drug cartel ambush last week in the San Luis Potosi state that left Zapata dead and another agent wounded.
“We’ve all been in tears. We can’t replace him,” Munoz, 23, said. “His mother just wants any way to bring him back. She keeps repeating that. It’s been really difficult.”
Mourners gathered Monday inside the Brownsville Events Center where Zapata lay in an open coffin. An American flag was draped over the closed part of the casket and two honor guard members stood post on either side.
Family members sat in front of the casket while friends and strangers came in to pay their respects. A rosary was scheduled for Monday night, and Zapata’s funeral on Tuesday is expected to be attended by several high-ranking U.S. officials.
Among them are Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who formed a joint task force led by the FBI to find Zapata’s killers. Holder is also scheduled to speak.
Zapata and fellow agent Victor Avila were attacked Feb. 15 when a group of Zeta drug cartel members in two vehicles forced Zapata’s sport utility vehicle off a highway, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul has said. Avila, who was shot twice in the leg, was released from a Houston hospital last week.
San Luis Potosi borders two northern Mexican states where the Zetas and the rival Gulf Cartel have waged bloody battles over territory. Zapata and Avila were temporarily detailed to the ICE attache office in Mexico City and were driving from the northern city of Monterrey to the Mexican capital at the time of the attack.
Shortly before Zapata was killed, he told his mother he was going to be a hero and that he was going to be famous, Munoz said.
“He was a hero,” Munoz said. “He stood up for his country.”
Munoz said the family remains under protection. He said he didn’t think it was common for Zapata to cross the border for his job and the family still has questions about the attack.
“You want to know what actually happened. Like a confirmation,” Munoz said.
Agents from ICE and Border Patrol were among about 50 people lining up outside Zapata’s visitation before the doors opened. Several Brownsville police officers manned the entrances and cameras were not allowed inside.
Tomas Neeley, 60, was among the first in line and cried while hugging family members who wore a photo of Zapata clipped to their lapels. Neeley said he grew up across the street from the Zapata home and had even baptized family members.
Neeley wondered whether confidence “overtook” Zapata and Avila when they lowered their bullet-proof windows. Neeley, a veteran who said he did two tours in Vietnam, said the killing by cartel members underscores what has become Mexico’s bloody reality.
“They don’t have any respect. They kill soldiers and federal agents and it doesn’t mean anything to them,” Neeley said.
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