Guatemalan handyman dies protecting Centreville family he worked for from armed home invaders

[Are_grits_groceries]

Jose Rosales was a devout Christian. He sent every spare penny he made as a landscaper and handyman back to his family in Guatemala, and he was so strong and industrious that he did the work of three men. He had the complete trust of the Brar family who hired him.

Jose Rosales
In turn, Rosales appreciated the steady work the Brars gave him in their construction and real estate businesses and around their 10-acre Centreville property and 9,000-square foot mansion, especially in tough economic times.

So on Monday morning, when two armed men broke into the family's four-car garage, Rosales stood between them and the Brars. "Get away from my brother and my mom," he said.

Then, the stocky Rosales decided to fight back. He jumped one of the invaders and wrested his gun away, sources familiar with the case said Tuesday. But the other man turned his gun on the family's mother. He threatened to kill the matriarch if Rosales didn't give the gun back. Rosales did, the sources said.

And then the gunmen shot and killed Rosales.

"Without Jose, I firmly believe I would not be alive right now," said Robbie Brar, a member of the stunned family, who spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday. "In a situation where most people probably run away, not only did he not run away, but he stood strong to protect people that are not related to him. He's a guardian angel."
<snip>
Rosales had been in the United States for at least eight years, his friends said, and most recently rented a room in a Manassas Park home. He came to the United States to work and support his family. Brar said Rosales hoped one day to return to Guatemala, build and own a home, and resume farming, as his family once did.
<snip>
Brar said he plans to help Rosales's family "like he helped my family. Now I'm the brother and the son. Money comes and goes. We're going to help his family out however we can."

There's more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/18/AR2010051805603.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Just another worthless immigrant.........

[NotThisTime]

1. Not worthless, just very worthy of our respect and understanding, like so many. Such a sad story.

[catzies]

10. I'm sorry you missed the OP's sarcasm...I believe no insult was intended n/t

[IndianaJoe]

2. Very sad story.

[blindpig]

3. k&r

[Octafish]

4. A real man. Un galan.

Thank you for the heads-up on this tragic story. Mr. Rosales letting us know about a truly amazing human being who gave his life protecting those he loved, his adopted family.

For those interested in learning why Guatemala is not all that great for "industrious" people who can do "the work of three men":

A "killing field" in the Americas: US policy in Guatemala

[lpbk2713]

5. This is another story you won't ever hear on the OxyRush Hatefest Show.

[raccoon]

6. Great name for his spectable, I mean show. nt

[roguevalley]

7. there is no greater love than to lay down your life for another.

rip.

[EFerrari]

8. Deport him!

[Kitty Herder]

9. Such a heartbreaking, but beautiful story.

:cry: