Robert Krentz
Encyclopedia
Robert N. Krentz Jr. was a prominent rancher in the U.S. state of Arizona
. Active in a family cattle ranching business stretching back nearly 100 years, he and his family ranch were inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame in 2008. Krentz was featured several times during the 1990s and 2000s in media reports regarding the problems surrounding illegal immigration
across the Arizona stretch of the United States – Mexico border, particularly regarding its impact on ranching.
On March 27, 2010, Krentz was found shot dead on his Cochise County ranch property after reporting seeing an immigrant in need of help. In the immediate aftermath, local authorities said evidence indicated that the assailant was most likely an illegal immigrant, though subsequent investigation suggested the killing was not random and that drug smugglers may have been responsible. Krentz's killing attracted national attention and became a rallying cry for border security and immigration reform.
, was founded by Julius and Emma Krentz (Rob Krentz's great-grandparents) in the 19th century when Arizona was still only a U.S. territory
. Rob and his wife Susan, together with his brother Phil and sister-in-law Carrie, were the fourth generation of the family to live and work on the ranch. Rob had previously served as president of the Cochise-Graham Cattlegrowers Association, and was described as "a pillar of the Cochise County ranching community."
In 2008, the Krentz ranch and family were honored with induction into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame. Rob and Susan Krentz accepted the award on behalf of the family.
"By all accounts, Mr. Krentz never got caught up in border politics. A bear of a man with a reserved nature, he could seem imposing at first glance but almost always rendered help to those who needed it, friends and family said. He inherited the 35,000-acre ranch from his father — it has been in the family since 1907," said The New York Times.
from Mexico into the U.S. across the Arizona-Sonora border had become a significant problem at the Krentz ranch. In a 2005 interview with local news affiliate KOLD, Rob Krentz stated that illegal immigration across his property had caused over $8 million in damages during a five-year period. In its 262 miles (421.6 km) "Tucson Sector", which includes the Krentz ranch, the border patrol reported making 241,673 arrests during 2009.
Krentz himself was described as non-confrontational toward the immigrants, but rather was often sympathetic, providing them with food and water, and calling the border patrol for those who needed medical assistance. In a 1999 interview with PBS, Krentz had stated, "If they come and ask for water, I'll still give them water. You know, that's just my nature."
Footprints at the crime scene led to the Mexican border, leading police to theorize an illegal immigrant was responsible. Subsequent investigations by the Cochise County Sheriff's Department continued to focus on a Mexican suspect, but suggested that the killing was non-random, that the perpetrator may have been a scout for a smuggling organization (rather than an immigrant), and noted that the day before the murder, federal agents had arrested 8 smugglers and seized 250 pounds of marijuana on the Krentz ranch.
and Republican
lawmakers from Arizona and neighboring New Mexico
, as well as former presidential candidate Tom Tancredo
, called upon the federal government to send U.S. National Guard troops to secure the border in the aftermath of Krentz's murder. U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords stated, "The federal government must respond appropriately. All options should be on the table."
The Department of Homeland Security increased their presence in the region and offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Krentz's killer. Reaction to the death led to increased public support for a broad and aggressive bill in the state legislature aimed at combating illegal immigration, Arizona SB1070, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer
within a month of the killing.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. Active in a family cattle ranching business stretching back nearly 100 years, he and his family ranch were inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame in 2008. Krentz was featured several times during the 1990s and 2000s in media reports regarding the problems surrounding illegal immigration
Illegal immigration to the United States
An illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
across the Arizona stretch of the United States – Mexico border, particularly regarding its impact on ranching.
On March 27, 2010, Krentz was found shot dead on his Cochise County ranch property after reporting seeing an immigrant in need of help. In the immediate aftermath, local authorities said evidence indicated that the assailant was most likely an illegal immigrant, though subsequent investigation suggested the killing was not random and that drug smugglers may have been responsible. Krentz's killing attracted national attention and became a rallying cry for border security and immigration reform.
Background
The Krentz ranch, located northeast of Douglas, ArizonaDouglas, Arizona
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census...
, was founded by Julius and Emma Krentz (Rob Krentz's great-grandparents) in the 19th century when Arizona was still only a U.S. territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
. Rob and his wife Susan, together with his brother Phil and sister-in-law Carrie, were the fourth generation of the family to live and work on the ranch. Rob had previously served as president of the Cochise-Graham Cattlegrowers Association, and was described as "a pillar of the Cochise County ranching community."
In 2008, the Krentz ranch and family were honored with induction into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame. Rob and Susan Krentz accepted the award on behalf of the family.
"By all accounts, Mr. Krentz never got caught up in border politics. A bear of a man with a reserved nature, he could seem imposing at first glance but almost always rendered help to those who needed it, friends and family said. He inherited the 35,000-acre ranch from his father — it has been in the family since 1907," said The New York Times.
Illegal immigration
By the end of the 20th century, illegal immigrationIllegal immigration to the United States
An illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
from Mexico into the U.S. across the Arizona-Sonora border had become a significant problem at the Krentz ranch. In a 2005 interview with local news affiliate KOLD, Rob Krentz stated that illegal immigration across his property had caused over $8 million in damages during a five-year period. In its 262 miles (421.6 km) "Tucson Sector", which includes the Krentz ranch, the border patrol reported making 241,673 arrests during 2009.
Krentz himself was described as non-confrontational toward the immigrants, but rather was often sympathetic, providing them with food and water, and calling the border patrol for those who needed medical assistance. In a 1999 interview with PBS, Krentz had stated, "If they come and ask for water, I'll still give them water. You know, that's just my nature."
Murder
At approximately 10:30 on the morning of Saturday, March 27, 2010, Krentz sent a radio transmission to his brother, Phil, in which he reportedly stated, "I see an immigrant out here, and he appears to need help. Call the Border Patrol." This was his last known transmission; after hours of radio silence aroused suspicions, he was found in a remote section of the ranch. Both he and his dog had been shot and had died from their wounds. Krentz had not been robbed, and in fact his gun was still in his holster. After being shot, he had lived long enough to return to his ATV and attempt to escape, but had lost consciousness and died before reaching safety.Footprints at the crime scene led to the Mexican border, leading police to theorize an illegal immigrant was responsible. Subsequent investigations by the Cochise County Sheriff's Department continued to focus on a Mexican suspect, but suggested that the killing was non-random, that the perpetrator may have been a scout for a smuggling organization (rather than an immigrant), and noted that the day before the murder, federal agents had arrested 8 smugglers and seized 250 pounds of marijuana on the Krentz ranch.
Reaction
The prospect that Krentz has been murdered by an illegal immigrant or Mexican drug smugglers sparked a national outcry. Gun sales surged by as much as 20% in the region where the murder occurred. DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
lawmakers from Arizona and neighboring New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, as well as former presidential candidate Tom Tancredo
Tom Tancredo
Thomas Gerard "Tom" Tancredo is an American politician from Colorado, who represented the state's sixth congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009, as a Republican...
, called upon the federal government to send U.S. National Guard troops to secure the border in the aftermath of Krentz's murder. U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords stated, "The federal government must respond appropriately. All options should be on the table."
The Department of Homeland Security increased their presence in the region and offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Krentz's killer. Reaction to the death led to increased public support for a broad and aggressive bill in the state legislature aimed at combating illegal immigration, Arizona SB1070, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer
Jan Brewer
Janice Kay "Jan" Brewer is the 22nd and current Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona and a member of the Republican Party. She is the fourth woman, and third consecutive woman, to hold the office...
within a month of the killing.
See also
- Illegal immigration to the United StatesIllegal immigration to the United StatesAn illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
- History of laws concerning immigration and naturalization in the United StatesHistory of laws concerning immigration and naturalization in the United StatesThis is a history of laws concerning immigration and naturalization in the United States.-18th century:The first naturalization law in the United States was the Naturalization Act of 1790, which restricted naturalization to "free white persons" of "good moral character" who had resided in the...