Prev
Jaime Jorge Zapata
Incident
Location: Overseas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Convicted of murder
Special Agent Jaime Zapata was shot and killed outside of Mexico City, Mexico.
He and another agent were assigned to the United States Embassy and were traveling between Mexico City and Monterrey when they were forced off the road by 10 members of a Mexican drug cartel. The agents were in an armored vehicle with diplomatic plates and identified themselves as diplomats.
The cartel members opened fire on them, fatally wounding Agent Zapata and wounding the second agent.
Several members of the drug cartel were apprehended in Mexico and face charges in connection with Special Agent Zapata's murder. One has been extradited to the United States. The subject who was extradited pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder.
Special Agent Zapata had served with ICE for four years and had previously served with the United States Border Patrol for just under one year. He is survived by his parents and four brothers, two of whom also serve as federal agents. He is buried in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, Brownsville, Texas.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and four brothers, two of whom also serve as federal agents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpb4dpnfjwkbqs7j10f6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jaime. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Zapata gave the United States Department of Homeland Security 5 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Zapata.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations has lost 10 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Jaime is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Jaime is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jaime is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 3 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jaime was 32. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Jaime had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jaime was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jaime had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jaime was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jaime had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Tuesdays: 12.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 20% of all 10 deaths at United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations has 10 officers remembered here, Jaime among them.
-
Jaime Jorge Zapata
Feb 15, 2011
-
Edward Joseph Smith
Oct 15, 2012
-
Robert T. Williams
Jul 28, 2013
-
J. Scott McGuire
Jan 24, 2016
-
Thomas Michael Wischerth
Mar 26, 2017
-
Timothy Allan Ensley
Jun 24, 2018
-
Dennis Patrick McCarthy
Oct 27, 2018
-
Louis Henry Aguirre
Nov 27, 2020
-
Robert C. Castioni, Jr.
Jul 24, 2023
-
Joseph Love
Oct 19, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
