A new U.S. Postal Service facility in McAllen, Texas, will be named after Border Patrol agent Raul Humberto Gonzalez Jr., who died on Dec. 7, 2022 while tracking illegal immigrants crossing the border.
The name comes thanks to the work of Texas' District 15 Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who introduced a bill last Friday to honor the official:
I'm proud to lead a bipartisan effort to honor fallen Border Patrol agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. In South Texas, we support our men and women in green. Today we are celebrating the ultimate sacrifice and life of Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. who tragically passed away in the line of duty last month. This community loves and supports our Border Patrol and Customs agents and so, I have put together bipartisan legislation to rename this building in his honor.
I'm proud to lead a bipartisan effort to honor fallen Border Patrol agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. In South Texas, we support our men and women in green. pic.twitter.com/1NLb8Eg2iL
— Monica De La Cruz (@monica4congress) January 21, 2023
This new facility, whose name will be Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Post Office is located at 620 E. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen, Texas.
Agent Gonzalez, who served with the Border Patrol since 2011 and is the father of two children ages eight and five, died after crashing his ATV into a steel gate while trying to locate several illegal immigrants. After the accident, several colleagues found him unconscious and called emergency services, and he was transported to the hospital. Doctors were unable to save his life, and he died within hours of admission.
His fiancée Yvonne Martínez, who is also a Border Patrol agent, highlighted his work as a professional:
He loved what he did, protecting this country and he did a damn good job about it. He did. He did. He loved what he was doing. He was always excited when he came home just to tell me about his day. He liked that he was able to help the children, give them water and treat them like human beings. He had a big heart.
