LIVONIA, Mich. (KGUN9-TV) - Bag pipes and a somber procession with murdered border patrol agent Brian Terry's flag draped coffin; they're all the accoutrements for the funeral of a federal agent shot and killed while on patrol in Arizona's southern desert.

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But, not so typical was what Brian's family had to say to KGUN9 the night before he was brought to his final resting place at Michigan Memorial Park. "I understand that Janet Napolitano called (Tuesday night). What did you say to her?" KGUN9 asked Brian Terry's father, Kent. "I said you gotta wake your man up in the White House and she said, ‘He's done more in the last two years than any other president," Kent responded.

But the Terrys don't buy it. Kent, step mom Carolyn, mom Josie, older brother Kent Jr., sisters Kelly and Michelle are all mad their son and brother, Brian, died the way he did; and, they're not shy about blaming President Obama's administration for not doing enough, taking aim directly at Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

"She spoke with us and they were empty words today when she spoke," said step mom Carolyn Terry. "Why so empty?" KGUN9 asked. "They had no meaning to them...she'll have Christmas...she'll forget about it tomorrow," a flurry of comments from the Terrys.

While the Secretary made the effort to fly to Detroit for the funeral, we made the effort to try to get some answers for the Terrys. KGUN9 waited near a back door while everyone else waited for Brian's body to come out the front.

She suddenly appeared and we jumped at the opportunity, "Madam Secretary may we speak to you. Madam Secretary may we have a word with you?" KGUN9 reporter Joel Waldman shouted out to her across a fence, as well as her security detail.

Despite her security detail advising against it, the former Arizona governor obliged us, "We had a rancher killed in March, a deputy shot in April, now this fallen agent; what else can be done to protect this border?" KGUN9 asked. "Well, I think now is not the time to talk about all that has been done and is being done," said the Secretary.

Now was not the time to talk border politics? Speaking at the funeral just moments earlier, the Secretary praised the President Obama for all he's doing in Arizona. "I'm also proud to be carrying a personal note to you from the President of the United States to your family. He, like I, honors border patrol agent Brian Terry," Secretary told the packed Grace Temple Church in Detroit.

Despite who it was coming from, the Terrys told us a note now was just a footnote in their eyes, "Do you think a note from President Obama at this point is enough? KGUN9 pressed. "I spoke to the family yesterday and they're not happy with the strategy as far as the southern border goes?" reporter Joel Waldman continued.

"Look, there are more agents, more technology at the border than ever before and more is on its way. But, I think now is the time to remember our agent, remember his comrades, and to reaffirm our commitment to that Arizona border," said Secretary Napolitano.

It's the same answer the Terrys told us Napolitano gave them; they were not pleased with it. But, they could not ask any follow ups, so we did.

"They said the words you said to them yesterday in their opinion were hollow words. They (the Terry family) help elect the President who appointed you. What can you do to ensure that the border will be more secure?" KGUN9 asked again. "Listen , I don't know who you spoke with?" the Secretary asked. "I spoke with the mother and the stepmother and the father," KGUN9 responded. "Listen, we are here today, the commissioner (USCPB) is here and the chief (Border Patrol) and this is not a time for the media to pick a fight. It's time to remember a fallen agent," said Napolitano.

A fallen agent whose family is worried he may have died in vain; vowing their own fight to make sure that never happens.

http://www.kgun9.com/global/story.asp?s=13731568#


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