In 2006, two Border Patrol agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, were convicted of federal crimes related to the shooting a drug smuggler. Unfortunately, this was a case of prosecutorial misconduct, and two good men were sentenced to 11 and 12 years respectively.

A large part of the government’s case against these agents stemmed from the testimony of the ‘victim’, a long-time drug smuggler known to be armed, and that the agents ‘did not report’ the incident to their supervisors. Of course, the fact that a supervisor was on scene, is never mentioned in any of the news reports. So, I guess if I don’t tell my sergeant “Hey, I just shot a drug smuggler in the ass after he attacked my partner” when my sergeant is on the call with me, well the US Government considers me a criminal.

Oh, and the ‘victim’, while waiting for the trial to begin, was caught bringing more dope into the USA from Mexico, but was given another pass by the Attorney General since he was the star witness against these Border Patrol agents.

I’m not one to cover for police misconduct and I am not “that guy” who sees a conspiracy in things. However, if you read up on this case at all, you will quickly notice that things do not add up, and Compean and Ramos are not the thugs the government has made them out to be.

Along those lines, Compean and Ramos are actually very devoted family men with wives and children who are doing their best while they are in prison. However, their best actually includes no health insurance for the kids, bankruptcy, and foreclosure. The families are hurting.

To that end, Pat Gray, a Houston talk radio host, and Glenn Beck, a national talk radio host, have teamed up with others to help these families out. In addition to their personal donations, they are requesting money for the Compean and Ramos families to help with health care for the kids, rent, and putting food on the table.

If you can donate a few dollars, please send two checks made out to Monica Ramos and Patty Compean. Due to the threats against the families, a Houston businessman who has worked with the families in the past is collecting the checks and delivering them to the families. This is all above board and 100% of the money is going to the families.

I know some of you don’t feel comfortable with supporting two cops that have been convicted of crimes. However, they were railroaded and their families are suffering. If you can help, please do.

Make checks payable to Monica Ramos and Patty Compean. Please mail them to:

Edd Henndee
Taste of Texas
10505 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77024

Stay safe!

Richard is a police officer with a medium sized, central Florida department, and previously worked for a Metro-Atlanta agency.  He has served as a field training officer, court officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, watch commander, commander of a field training and evaluation program, and general pain in the butt to management-types looking to cut training hours.