Vacationing Border Agent Killed in Hawaii Rescue

May 21, 2013
A vacationing U.S. Border Patrol agent died attempting to save a woman in distress in Waimea Falls.

A vacationing U.S. Border Patrol agent died Sunday attempting to save a woman in distress in a pool at Waimea Falls.

The Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man as Kris Gungon, 31, of Imperial, Calif.

Other people in the area rescued the woman, fire Capt. Gary Lum said.

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in San Diego said Gungon has been an agent since 2009. He was assigned to the El Centro Patrol Station.

Gungon, his wife and other family members were vacationing in the islands.

An autopsy will be performed today.

Authorities said a woman was in distress in the pond beneath the falls and that Gungon went in to help her. He never resurfaced.

Lum said fire rescue and lifeguards participated in the search. He said the body was found about 25 feet below the surface of the pond at 5:20 p.m.

His department received a call about the missing man from the city Department of Emergency Services at 4:12 p.m. Sunday.

Police have classified the case as an unattended death.

Gungon was visiting here with his family, which is being helped by the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii. The visitor aid service also said it has offered its assistance to Gungon's parents in San Diego. Imperial is near the U.S.-Mexican border.

Copyright 2013 - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Sponsored Recommendations

Build Your Real-Time Crime Center

March 19, 2024
A checklist for success

Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

July 28, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

June 6, 2023
Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

Feb. 8, 2023
Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!