Missing Texas National Guard soldier found dead after trying to save migrants crossing the Rio Grande
A Texas National Guard soldier who went missing Friday morning while trying to save two migrants struggling in the Rio Grande was found dead Monday.
Specialist Bishop E. Evans, a 22-year-old field artilleryman from Arlington, had been assigned to a regiment in New Braunfels, outside San Antonio after Texas Army National Guard in May 2019, according to the Texas Military Department.
He was working with Operation Lone Star, a mission ordered by Gov. Greg Abbott to reduce illegal border crossing, when he spotted two migrants trying to cross the river, officials said last week.
Evans jumped in and “selflessly attempted” to save the migrants, the department said.
When he never surfaced, the Texas Rangers began searching in the water and along the riverbed, stalled by the strong current over the weekend but resuming Sunday morning.
Evans’ body was found Monday, officials confirmed.
“We are devastated by the loss of a member of our Guard family,” Maj Gen Tom Suelzer, Adjutant General for Texas, said in a statement. “We recognize the selflessness of this heroic Soldier who put his life above others in service to our state and national security. The Texas Military Department sends our deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time”
The migrants were both rescued and taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Customs officials believe they were involved in “illicit transnational narcotics trafficking,” according to the Texas Military Department.
Evans previously served in Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait, where his “dedication, talents, and tactical prowess led his leadership to regularly assign him to operations in Iraq in support of Special Operations Forces for short periods of time, while then rotating back into Kuwait,” officials said.
