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Texas Governor Greg Abbott is calling the death of a National Guardsman in the Rio Grande River heartbreaking. Abbott says he's eternally grateful for Specialist Bishop Evans and his service to the state and country. Evans disappeared last week near Eagle Pass while trying to the save the life of an illegal immigrant who was caught in rushing water. His body wasn't recovered until this morning. Evans was in the Rio Grande Valley as part of Operation Lone Star, the state's crackdown on illegal immigration at the Mexican border.
"We are heartbroken to learn of the death of SPC Bishop E. Evans who was reported missing in Eagle Pass on Friday," said Governor Abbott. "Our National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country. I thank the members of the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Border Patrol, and local law enforcement for working around the clock to locate this soldier. The Texas Military Department will continue to provide more updates to the public as they become available. I ask that Texans join Cecilia and me in praying for the family and friends of SPC Evans as they grieve this heartbreaking loss."