Roll of Honor
Javier Vega Jr.
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to death
Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega was shot and killed near La Feria, Texas, as he attempted to take action during a robbery while he was off duty.
He was fishing at a remote area with his wife, children, and parents, when two illegal aliens approached them and attempted to rob them. Agent Vega was shot in the chest when he attempted to draw his weapon and take action. His father was also shot and wounded as he returned fire at the men.
Both men fled the scene but were arrested a short time later. They were charged with capital murder, attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery, and tampering with evidence. It is believed the same subjects had committed numerous similar robberies at the direction of a Mexican cartel. Both men had been previously deported a total of six times. One suspect was sentenced to death on June 5, 2018; the other was sentenced to 50 years in January 2019.
Agent Vega was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the United States Border Patrol for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-B626EC50- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Border Patrol Agent Vega gave the United States Department of Homeland Security 6 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Javier Vega Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1997â2001) before joining law enforcement.
Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, 7 of 63 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 11.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Javier Vega Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Javier Vega Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Javier Vega Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Javier Vega Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Military Service
Javier Vega Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1997–2001) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Javier Vega Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
62 officers from United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
