Fallen Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps may have been playing Russian Roulette

By: Jose G. Landa
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

United States Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps who allegedly committed suicide on Sunday, December 29, 2013, in Dimmit County, Texas may have been playing Russian Roulette with his handgun when he shot himself in the head according to the preliminary investigation which found Phipps lying at his residence with his handgun beside him and all of the bullets in his gun had been taken out except the bullet which discharged and caused his death, announced 293rd Judicial District Attorney Roberto Serna.

The death of U.S. Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps is under investigation by the Texas Rangers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Department.

The Eagle Pass Business Journal contacted Dennis Smith, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Public Affairs Specialist, in Del Rio, Texas regarding the death of U.S. Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps and Smith replied that “I can confirm that the employee is deceased. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the Texas Rangers.” Smith could not provide any additional information regarding the cause of death of Phipps and/or details as the case is still under investigation by the Texas Rangers.

There are many questions unanswered yet as to what exactly was the cause of death of Phipps; what may have motivated or caused him to do what he did; whether there were any other persons involved and/or may have witnessed the incident; what happened immediately before Phipps death; what did Phipps do one, two, three, or more days before the tragic incident; what happened to Phipps after his acquittal of state charges of aggravated continuous sexual abuse of a young child by a Maverick County jury of seven women and five men on September 13, 2013 until the date of his tragic death; what evidence was discovered and/or obtained at the site where Phipps body was found; and many more.

The tragic death of U.S. Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps has caused much consternation and grief among family, friends, co-workers, and the U.S. Border Patrol local, state, and national community. The communities of Carrizo Springs and Eagle Pass, Texas are mourning the tragic demise of U.S. Border Patrol Officer Brian Edward Phipps, age 33. May he rest in peace.