Slain Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie A Member Of The LDS Church Who Served A Mission In Mexico City

Screenshot of Ivie

The family of Nicholas Ivie, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed along the Mexico/Arizona border, says Ivie was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who developed a love for the Mexican people and culture while serving on a mission in Mexico City.

The 30-year-old Ivie, a native of Provo, UT who joined the U.S. Border Patrol in January 2008, was killed after he and two other agents encountered hostile fire while responding to a sensor hit a few miles north of the Arizona-Mexico border just before 2 A.M on Tuesday October 2nd, 2012, near the border town of Naco. Another agent was shot in the buttocks and ankle but was released from hospital after undergoing surgery; the third agent was unhurt. The names of the other two agents have not been released. President Barack Obama called Ivie's family later on Tuesday to offer condolences and to express his gratitude for Ivie's selfless service to his nation. Obama made it clear that the administration was doing everything it could to locate those responsible. Reaction from a number of Arizona politicos published HERE.

Mexican troops have now reportedly arrested two suspects; they were detained in a Mexican military operation in the city of Agua Prieta, Sonora. Mexico customarily will not agree to extradite murder suspects to the United States unless U.S. authorities promise in advance not to seek the death penalty.

On Thursday, members of Ivie's extended family, including his widow, held a press conference at Cochise College in Sierra Vista, AZ. Not only did they reveal Ivie's LDS affiliation, but also spoke about Ivie's personal compassion towards immigrants. One example: While on patrol in the southeastern Arizona desert, Ivie came across a pregnant Mexican woman traveling with a small group of people. Her feet were cut, and she wore rags for shoes. Ivie reportedly carried that woman a mile and a half so she could get the help that she needed. Sierra Vista LDS Stake President Kevin Goates, in describing the emotional state of Ivie's widow, said "This is a very difficult time for her. I don't think she's fully absorbed everything that has taken place. There are immediate needs that she's looking after, realizing there are many plans to be made in the future. I think those things will probably sink in over time."

President Goates also gave an example of Ivie's selfless service to both the Church and the Border Patrol. Ivie, who was a second counselor in his ward's bishopric, arrived home around 5 A.M. Sunday after an overnight shift on the border. He showered before heading out for church meetings starting at 8 a.m. He spent the day attending to church duties, including sharing his faith in Jesus Christ during Sacrament meeting, before going back on shift at 6 P.M.

Nicholas Ivie leaves behind his wife Christy and two young daughters. Funeral services are tentatively scheduled in Sierra Vista Monday October 8th and in Spanish Fork, UT on Thursday October 11th, when he will be laid to rest. Memorial funds have been established at Zions Bank in Utah and the National Bank of Arizona in the name of Nicholas Ivie; the government benefit plan Ivie had does not cover final expenses.