By Steve Neavling
Christopher Luna, the Border Patrol agent who was among three people killed in an on-duty helicopter crash over the U.S.-Mexico border last week, was laid to rest Thursday afternoon.
The crash also killed two National Guard soldiers – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, 28, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia, 30.
Dozens of agents and local law enforcement officials gathered to pay their respects to Luna at the Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine in Texas, MyRGV.com reports.
Luna’s body was inside a flag-draped casket.
Among those in attendance was Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Luna joined Border Patrol since 2007.
The 49-year-old was killed when the UH-72 helicopter he was riding in crashed in a field near Rio Grande City.
The helicopter, which went down while conducting aviation operations, was assigned to the federal government’s border security mission.
He is survived by his wife and their two children.
“He was one of the most wonderful sons you would ever want to have,” his father, Victor, said. “He was a quick learner, very polite, and he had numerous friends that always talked very highly of him. He was very respectful to people, to both me and his stepmother. He was a very loving father.”
“He enjoyed life, whatever he did,” Luna’s stepmother, San Juanita, added.
A memorial fund set up on GoFundMe has raised more than $46,000.
