Texas National Guard soldier's body recovered from border river where he died saving 2 migrants

National Guard near Eagle Pass, Texas
(Image credit: Sergio Flores/AFP/Getty Images)

Spc. Bishop E. Evans, a field artilleryman with the Texas National Guard, jumped into the Rio Grande to rescue two migrants trying to cross over from Mexico on Friday morning. His body was recovered Monday, after an extensive three-day search effort by the Texas Military Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Evans, 22, was serving at the border as part of Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) controversial Operation Lone Star initiative.

"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," Abbott said in a statement. Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, adjutant general for Texas, recognized "the selflessness of this heroic soldier who put his life above others in service to our state and national security."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.