Funerals for the drug war victims were becoming all too common by February 2010. That's when the death toll reached 1,000.

"I feel bad for our sister city," said Roxanne Byler, of west El Paso.

Stories of tragedy have affected families not only in Juarez, but in El Paso as well.

"My son's girlfriends parents' were just murdered over there," said Byler.

In March, El Paso would mourn the loss of one who risked his life for others. Detention Officer Arthur Redelfs and his wife Lesley were gunned down after attending a birthday party in Juarez while their baby was in the back seat. They also had another child on the way. It was a reality check for El Pasoans who made their way back after years of being gone.

"I was surprised that you couldn't go to Mexico anymore," said Mack Golsbury, of west El Paso.

Just as many began to cope with that loss, a Border Patrol agent came under fire in June for shooting and killing 15-year-old Sergio Adrian Hernandez Huereca, who was playing under a bridge. The Border Patrol agent said he was throwing rocks at him and crossed into the U.S. The actions of both divided the border even more.

"We've always loved each other and worked as a team, and it’s changed, its changing," said Byler.

El Pasoans said they fear the unknown coming in with 2011.

"If the government doesn't get a hold of it over there, it could become very scary for us," said Byler. "I feel like it could eventually spill over into El Paso."