Holly MatkinSells, AZ – U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Supervisory Patrol Agent Daniel Cox died in the line of duty on July 31 after he was involved in a head-on collision.
Agent Cox, who was assigned to the Tucson Sector, was traveling along State Route 86 near mile marker 128 near Sells when the fatal crash occurred at approximately 12:20 a.m., the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector said in a Facebook post later that morning.
Multiple first responders were called to the scene, as well as a Life Flight helicopter.
“A short time after the collision, both the agent and the sole occupant driver of the civilian vehicle were pronounced deceased,” the agency said.
Details regarding the crash or the events that preceded it have not been released.
The Tohono O’odham Police Department (TOPD) is handling the ongoing investigation into the deadly collision, KSAZ reported.
Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. released a statement offering his condolences in the wake of the crash.
“The Tohono O’odham Nation is saddened by this tragic incident which took the lives of two individuals,” Norris said. “Please keep their families and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
Agent Cox, 52, served the CBP for 24 years, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“Arizona’s prayers are with @CBPArizona and the loved ones of the officer and civilian who lost their lives in this accident,” Arizona Governor Doug Ducey tweeted on the afternoon of Agent Cox’s death.
Arizona’s prayers are with @CBPArizona and the loved ones of the officer and civilian who lost their lives in this accident. https://t.co/VBWS261lFu
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 31, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Dan Cox, who died in a vehicle accident this morning. Dan was one of a kind and a true leader among the agents pic.twitter.com/j6fKNPBwtY
— NBPC 2544 (@NBPC2544) July 31, 2021
RIP. Supervisory Patrol Agent Daniel Cox was killed in a head-on motor vehicle accident. #rip #hero #endofwatch #SupervisoryPatrolAgentDanielCox #USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity #lawenforcement #thinblueline #bluelivesmatter #backtheblue #igy6 #becarefulouthere pic.twitter.com/yDQ2T2GtZ9
— Protecting the Blue (@protectingblue) August 2, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection Supervisory Patrol Agent Daniel Cox, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
