WASHINGTON – The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) honored Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila, former Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) particular brokers, throughout an area ceremony on Could 11. The commemoration coincided with National Police Week, an annual recognition held every Could for regulation enforcement officers who misplaced their lives within the line of responsibility.
Larry Cosme, Nationwide President of the FLEOA, introduced a signed copy of The Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act to Patrick J. Lechleitner, Deputy Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Steve Ok. Francis, Appearing Government Affiliate Director for HSI.
Particular Brokers Zapata and Avila had been deployed to Mexico in 2011, serving to examine and dismantle narcotics smuggling into the U.S. The 2 had been attacked by drug cartels in San Luis Potosi, Feb. 15, 2011. Zapata died from accidents sustained, and though perpetrators had been apprehended, a federal appeals courtroom dismissed the homicide convictions as a result of a scarcity of jurisdiction over crimes dedicated towards regulation enforcement officers stationed abroad.
“We always remember our fallen – particular agent Zapata will probably be eternally remembered for safeguarding and serving this nice nation – and now, with final yr’s passing of instrumental laws, he and Avila are eternally honored by having their title tied to a regulation that ensures crimes dedicated towards People serving internationally may be prosecuted, and that these related criminals may be delivered to justice,” mentioned Lechleitner.
“Every Police Week, we take time to recollect and honor the regulation enforcement now we have misplaced. At present, we give HSI a replica of the invoice to honor the reminiscence of Particular Agent Zapata and the sacrifice of Particular Agent Avila and specific our gratitude for HSI’s partnership to make sure justice is out there for all those that threat their security for the security of our nation. A duplicate of the invoice will stay at HSI so all regulation enforcement and workers who cross know their authorities will stand by them if tragedy strikes,” acknowledged Cosme.
The act named after Zapata and Avila, which now clarifies that federal officers and workers serving abroad are protected, and that attackers may be tried in a U.S. courtroom of regulation, was formally signed by President Joseph Biden on Nov. 18, 2021.
“Whereas it took almost a decade to see this imaginative and prescient totally realized, the passing of this laws was an incredible victory for the households and family members of Zapata and Avila,” mentioned Francis. “At present’s commemoration is our affirmation that now we have not forgotten these heroes, and a stronger reminder that HSI is not going to condone acts of violence towards its residents or regulation enforcement officers, whether or not serving at residence or overseas.”
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HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), answerable for investigating transnational crime and threats, particularly these legal organizations that exploit the worldwide infrastructure via which worldwide commerce, journey, and finance transfer. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 workers consists of greater than 7,100 particular brokers assigned to 220 cities all through the USA, and 80 abroad areas in 53 international locations. HSI’s worldwide presence represents DHS’s largest investigative regulation enforcement presence overseas and one of many largest worldwide footprints in U.S. regulation enforcement.