Security officer remembered fondly www.privateofficer.com
El Paso TX. Jan 3, 2008
The security guard who died after being assaulted on the job at the Paso del Norte Bridge on New Year's Day was remembered by colleagues today as a hardworking, family man.
Cruz Vite, 58, of the 10800 block of Jack Fleck, died at Thomason Hospital. He was rushed there by ambulance following the assault.
An El Paso Police investigation found Vite, who had a preexisting medical condition, was punched several times with a closed fist. His cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Pablo Aragon, 29, of the 1200 block of Myrtle, was jailed and charged with assault in connection with Vite's death. His bond was set at $5,000. The charge could change depending on the autopsy results, police spokesman Officer Chris Mears.
The investigation is continuing.
Vite worked for Mike Garcia Merchant Security, a company contracted by the local street department to patrol the toll booth on the El Paso side of the international bridge.
"He was an excellent employee," Mike Garcia, the company's owner said. "He was married and he would get a long with everybody. Everybody like him. His supervisor always talked highly about him."
The security company has been in Garcia's family for about 60 years. Garcia, who has run the company for about 40 of those years, said, "I've never had anything like this happen before."
Mears said the preliminary investigation found Aragon attempted to enter the toll booth when he and Vite got into a confrontation. Police have not said what triggered the fight, which was reported to police at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
"Aragon struck Vite with closed fists a few times before fleeing the area running northbound where he was later detained by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent," Mears said.
Daryl Cole, street department director, said the tragedy is the first of its kind at the port of entry during the 11 years he's overseen the contracting of security guards to secure the toll booths.
"We are numbed by it," he said.
Cole said it's not uncommon for fights to break out at the international bridge but the fights usually involve people returning to El Paso.
Cruz Vite, 58, of the 10800 block of Jack Fleck, died at Thomason Hospital. He was rushed there by ambulance following the assault.
An El Paso Police investigation found Vite, who had a preexisting medical condition, was punched several times with a closed fist. His cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Pablo Aragon, 29, of the 1200 block of Myrtle, was jailed and charged with assault in connection with Vite's death. His bond was set at $5,000. The charge could change depending on the autopsy results, police spokesman Officer Chris Mears.
The investigation is continuing.
Vite worked for Mike Garcia Merchant Security, a company contracted by the local street department to patrol the toll booth on the El Paso side of the international bridge.
"He was an excellent employee," Mike Garcia, the company's owner said. "He was married and he would get a long with everybody. Everybody like him. His supervisor always talked highly about him."
The security company has been in Garcia's family for about 60 years. Garcia, who has run the company for about 40 of those years, said, "I've never had anything like this happen before."
Mears said the preliminary investigation found Aragon attempted to enter the toll booth when he and Vite got into a confrontation. Police have not said what triggered the fight, which was reported to police at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
"Aragon struck Vite with closed fists a few times before fleeing the area running northbound where he was later detained by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent," Mears said.
Daryl Cole, street department director, said the tragedy is the first of its kind at the port of entry during the 11 years he's overseen the contracting of security guards to secure the toll booths.
"We are numbed by it," he said.
Cole said it's not uncommon for fights to break out at the international bridge but the fights usually involve people returning to El Paso.
COME SEE OUR NEW WEBSITE; www.privateofficer.com
VISIT US AT myspace.com/privateofficernews
0 Response to "Security officer remembered fondly www.privateofficer.com"
Post a Comment