Brian Terry's mom: Foundation raises money for fallen agents

The family of a fallen Border Patrol Agent is fighting to make sure the memory of Brian Terry lives on forever.

Monday evening, Arizona Congressmen from both sides of the political aisle will gather at the JW Marriott Star Pass Resort in Tucson to raise money for the Brian Terry Foundation during the first annual Brian Terry Benefit Dinner.

The event is intended to increase awareness about border security issues and raise money for educational scholarships as well as the families of other fallen law enforcement agents.

"(Brian Terry) was a huge, huge, strong American kid…the best of the best," said Bob Heyer, Terry's cousin and Chairman of the Brian Terry Foundation. 

The Brian Terry Foundation is going to build upon him and create this lasting legacy," Heyer said. "Do good deeds in his memory," he added.

Rep. Ron Barber, a Democrat from Arizona’s 8th District, will honor Terry posthumously with the Congressional Badge of Bravery during the event.

Click here for more information about the Brian Terry Foundation Benefit Dinner.

HISTORY

Terry was killed near the Arizona/Mexico border in December 2010, when a group of armed bandits shot him in the back. 

Two of the guns found at the scene of his murder were linked to ATF's controversial Fast and Furious case .

THE GRIEVING PROCESS

“He died doing what he liked doing best,” said Josephine Terry, Brian Terry’s mother. “He loved his country, and he loved his Border Patrol."

Josephine Terry says the grieving process has been difficult.

“It’s hard to grieve because you think that you’re getting ahead and getting some justice, then something else comes up that changes the whole ball game,” she said. 

“I just know eventually the truth is going to come out, and he’s going to get the justice that he deserves,” she said.

Terry said she used to be angry about her son’s death. Now, she says, “I just want to heal."

“I tell (Brian) I miss him, and I tell him that he would be proud of himself,” she said. 

“I think he is making a difference.  I think it if wasn’t for Brian’s death. I know he had to die for it, but I think all this with the Fast and Furious – I don’t think it would’ve ever come out.  Nothing would’ve ever happened if it wasn’t for his death,” she said.

OIG REPORT

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), the Congressman who has been leading the investigation into the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ flawed Fast and Furious case, will be speaking at the Brian Terry Foundation Benefit Dinner. 

Issa chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform .

This week, the Inspector General for the Department of Justice, Michael Horowitz, is expected to testify in front of that committee about his findings in the investigation into the flawed Fast and Furious case.