Holly MatkinSan Antonio, TX – Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent Anthony Salas died in the line of duty on Jan. 22 after he was involved in a crash one day earlier.
The 37-year-old agent was working as a special operations group operator in support of Operation Lone Star with the U.S. Border Patrol in Maverick County near Eagle Pass when the “unfortunate traffic crash” occurred on Jan. 21, DPS West Texas Regional Director Jose Sanchez said in a Facebook post.
Officers were arresting “six Undocumented Aliens (UDAs)” at the time, according to Director Sanchez.
Details about the collision were not released.
The UDAs were treated for non-life threatening injuries before being handed over to Border Patrol agents.
Agent Salas was transported to a hospital in Eagle Pass and was subsequently airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio.
He succumbed to his injuries with his family by his side at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Jan 22.
Agent Salas served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining DPS in 2013, Director Sanchez said.
He served as a trooper prior to being promoted as a DPS Criminal Investigations Division special agent.
“Please keep the Salas family in your thoughts and prayers,” Director Sanchez wrote.
Texas Governor Greg Abbot released a statement offering his condolences to Agent Salas’ family, KENS reported.
“I am saddened to hear that DPS Special Agent Anthony Salas was killed in a horrific vehicle accident in the line of duty in Eagle Pass,” Abbot said. “This tragedy is a somber reminder of the selfless sacrifices our law enforcement make as they work to keep us safe. I ask Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for Agent Salas’ family as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”
It is with great sadness we share the death of Special Agent Anthony Salas. Please visit our website for more details about his heroic service and sacrifice and keep his family in your prayers. https://t.co/851wfSYV6K pic.twitter.com/komIADHuO3
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) January 22, 2022
Today, DPS was honored to fly Special Agent Anthony Salas, along with his wife, back home to El Paso in a DPS aircraft where many of SA Salas’ family were waiting to reunite. Dozens of law enforcement partners also awaited his arrival to stand and honor his service and sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/AEIsT5Wwb0
— TxDPS – West Texas Region (@TxDPSWest) January 24, 2022
We are heartbroken to inform you of the death of Special Agent Anthony Salas of the Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations Division in Texas.
End of Watch: Saturday, January 22, 2022 pic.twitter.com/XZBkivqUkJ
— Thin Blue Line USA (@thinbluelineUSA) January 24, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent Anthony Salas, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
