December 18 - December 24Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Each week I try to share a story or an idea in this intro section that I hope will lead to changes beneficial to the workforce. This week is no different. But, for those beneficial changes to occur, individuals (usually current USBP leadership) must have the strength to be self-critical. All of us have heard many different definitions of leadership and management. When I think of the concepts, I try to look at them through the lens of the USBP and its workforce. Here's my take, and it's neither absolute or all-encompassing:
Notice what I did there? Running operations is absolutely not synonymous with being a leader! Maybe that's Border Patrol blasphemy... Nevertheless, if a person in a position of authority has a bias toward the mission (over the workforce), then they have a higher propensity of being a good manager of the mission. Remember, that person is measured by those in their charge, not by what they say, but by what they do! Actions and inactions speak louder than words. I've said it before, there is a reason that CBP and the USBP constantly do horribly on the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Surveys (FEVS). This year is no different. Less than 16% of the USBP workforce responded to this year's FEVS invitation, very clearly indicating a lack of confidence that their participation will make any difference, and recent history shows that they are correct. It is easy to blame poor FEVS scores on one Presidential Administration or other, but know this, the USBP's FEVS scores have ranked in the bottom 10% of the entire federal government for over a decade. So, I'll say this... It's past time for those in positions of authority in CBP and the USBP to have a bias toward their workforce. I believe that slogans such as Mission First, People Always, are horrible because they promote a bias toward managing the mission, usually at the expense of the workforce. Thus, creating not leaders of people but managers of mission. Remember, as Simon Sinek said, "It's not about being in charge, it's about taking care of those in your charge!" In other words, take care of the workforce and let them take care of the mission! To alleviate any doubts, if you wear one of the insignia below in dress uniform or are a professional staff equivalent, I'm speaking to you! This week starts with a 1908 memo by which Mounted Inspector Jeff Milton requests and extension of his leave. We have another El Paso Sub-district gunfight in 1928. And we finish the Documents/Events Section with three references from Joe Banco's books. There are no known Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries this week. As is the cousin in the newsletter, I will highlight a recipient of which we do not know their action's anniversary. This week's highlight is LeAlan L. Pinkerton. He is a recipient from 1998. I have no additional information. However, I was able to contact LeAlan last week and I hope to be able to update the Newton-Azrak Award page with his information and maybe a few photos. Until then, enjoy the photo to the right. LeAlan and I were in the 2008 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade. He let me get on his horse Bullet. Much to the discomfort of all who witnessed me mounting and dismounting (not to mention Bullet), I was wearing a kilt. We also remember three of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de Corps The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents/Events 1908
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
There are no known Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries this week. However, I will highlight 1998 recipient: LeAlan L. Pinkerton Nothing is known about the action that led to his selection to receive the award. Recently, I was able to locate and speak with LeAlan. It's my hope that I will be able to share new information with you soon and use it to update the Newton-Azrak Award page. USBP Fallen As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen. Titles:
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America. The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen. 1950
Richard D. Clarke Date of Birth: December 6, 1926 Entered on Duty: February 23, 1949 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 18, 1950 Details: At about 1:00 p.m. on December 18, 1950, Patrol Inspector Richard D. Clarke and his teammate, Patrol Inspector Ralph L. Trantor, took Eulalio Cordero, an illegal alien, into custody in south El Paso. They were bringing him to headquarters by automobile for further questioning when the alien suddenly stabbed Inspector Clarke in the heart. His death was instantaneous. The alien then seized Inspector Trantor's gun. Patrol Inspector Trantor slammed on the car's brakes, held on to the gun and threw himself into the back seat where he grappled with the alien and succeeded in holding him until police officers arrived. During the struggle, Trantor's gun was discharged once, the bullet passing through a car seat. Inspector Trantor was badly bitten on the face and arms. The incident began as a routine immigration procedure. Inspector Clarke questioned Cordero on a street in El Paso, Texas. First claiming to be a citizen of the United States, he later admitted he was an illegal alien. Cordero was charged with murder. Gravesite 2004 George R. DeBates Date of Birth: November 19, 1972 Entered on Duty: April 25, 1999 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 19, 2004 Details: On December 19, 2004, Agent George R. DeBates was involved in a single-vehicle accident while on patrol near Pisinimo, Arizona. He died as a result of his injuries. Agent DeBates was working on a camp detail while assigned to the Casa Grande Station. Agent DeBates is the fourth Department of Homeland Security employee to die in the line of duty since the Department was created in March 2003. Originally, from Wisconsin, Agent DeBates was a graduate of the 403rd session of the Border Patrol Academy. A four-year veteran of the Border Patrol, Agent DeBates was assigned to the Casa Grande Station, on detail to the Ajo Station. Gravesite 2019 Luis O. Peña Jr. Date of Birth: July 16, 1977 Entered on Duty: January 27, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 23, 2019 Details: On December 23, 2019, Border Patrol Agent Luis O. Peña Jr. succumbed to complications related to significant injuries he received from a vehicle accident (roll over) on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 18, 2007. BPA Peña was medically retired on October 8, 2010. Agent Peña entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on January 27, 2003, as a member of the 538th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation. Agent Peña served with the United States Border Patrol for over seven years.
Comments
December 11 - December 17Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! My father is a subscriber to this newsletter and last week he shared with me that the Border Patrol should hire me to do this HonorFirst.com stuff as a contractor. That gave me quite a chuckle. I told him that the Patrol had me on their payroll less than two years ago but that my chain-of-command stifled me to the point I had to retire. Plus, now they're getting all of this for free, but with the risk of me being unrestrained. As a quick sidenote, in my last three years in the Patrol, I was performing a job that I absolutely loved, Awards and History. I retired because of my chain-of-command, in perfect example of, "people don't quit jobs, people quit people." My retirement was a retention failure and could be a leadership case study of what not to do. Getting back on track... I try to use my powers for good, just like I always have. That is to say to the benefit of the workforce. I avoid the turbulence of politics, and of voicing any opinions I may have on strategic and tactical approaches to patrolling the border. I like to stay in the realm of my passion, organizational pride and employee morale. Highlighting the good, shining the light on areas of improvement, and attempting to influence beneficial change. As a retiree, I have been known to send emails to Border Patrol leadership of all levels. Sometimes a note of congratulations, and sometimes sharp suggestions to benefit the workforce. Every day, I engage with 100's of current and former employee's in the Agents' Forum. I want to highlight one of my recent posts to the forum concerning someone who left a significant impression, someone I consider to be a great leader, Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeff Denise:
Too often, we only hear of negative leadership stories. Jeff's is a positive one, where a person in a position of authority valued those in his charge in a manner will always impress me. Thank you, Jeff! This week (like last week, ha!), starts of BIG with the Patrol's first uniform policy, General Order 42 from 1924! We have the earliest, most complete roster of Patrol Inspectors of which I am aware from 1929. Surprise, there was a gunfight in El Paso in 1930! The Patrol and Customs didn't really get along in 1944 (who would have guessed we would be one big happy family in beginning in 2003?). We remember two Newton-Azrak Award recipients, both given posthumously, on the anniversary of their actions. Also, we remember five of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Before I forget, make sure you visit the Border Patrol Stories page. I've received several that are pretty good! If you want to submit a story, please sent to me at [email protected]. Have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de Corps The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents/Events 1924
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
2004 James P. Epling Border Patrol Agent Yuma Sector Posthumously Awarded Border Patrol Agent James P. Epling was honored posthumously for his courage and bravery in rescuing a female alien in distress in the swift cold waters of the Colorado River and attempting to apprehend a group of illegal aliens along the riverbanks. On the evening of December 16, 2003, Agent Epling was assigned to the Yuma Border Patrol Sector in Yuma, Arizona. He was working near Andrade, California, when he was last seen attempting to apprehend a group of illegal aliens along the banks of the Colorado River. Moments prior to his disappearance, Agent Epling entered the swift, cold waters of the Colorado River to rescue a female alien in distress. Once the woman was safe, Agent Epling pursued four other individuals he observed running south toward Mexico along the riverbank in an attempt to escape arrest. This was the last time Agent Epling was seen alive. Agent Epling’s body was recovered from the river after a three-day search. 2011 Brian A. Terry - photo Border Patrol Agent Tucson Sector/BORTAC Posthumously Awarded On December 14, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was conducting operations as a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) in the Nogales, Arizona area of operations. Agent Terry’s team encountered five individuals, at least two of whom were armed with rifles, in the “Peck Well” area near Rio Rico, Arizona. During the attempt to arrest these individuals, the agents and suspects fired shots. Agent Terry was mortally wounded during the exchange of gunfire and succumbed to his injuries on December 15, 2010. USBP Fallen As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen. Titles:
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America. The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen. 1924
Frank H. Clark Date of Birth: January 4, 1879 Entered on Duty: August 5, 1924 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 13, 1924 Details: While patrolling in company with another officer near Cordova Island, El Paso, Texas, on the evening of December 13, 1924, Patrol Inspector Clark was shot and killed by smuggler's spotters. They had concealed themselves at a strategic point on the American side of the international boundary line for the purpose of warning and protecting the smugglers should the presence of officers be detected. When the smugglers were challenged by the Patrol Inspectors, the spotters opened fire from ambush, and one of the shots hit Patrol Inspector Clark. His death was instantaneous. Other officers quickly took positions in concealment surrounding the scene of the action and remained there through the night. They found sacks containing illegal liquor, and they took into custody a Mexican family found on the scene searching the premises in the early morning. One of these Mexicans, Eulalio Aguilar, was subsequently indicted on charge of murder, convicted and given a 10-year sentence. Survivor benefits - As per this document, Wife received $65 per month until their two children turned 18, then $49 per month. Gravesite 1927 Franklin P. Wood Date of Birth: September 22, 1894 Entered on Duty: March 11, 1926 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 15, 1927 Details: Patrol Inspector Franklin P. Wood stationed at Sibley, Michigan, disappeared in the early morning of December 15, 1927. On the Detroit River near Wyandotte, Michigan, under cover of darkness, Patrol Inspectors Wood, James W. Oliver, and Chief Patrol Inspector Ivan A. Hall patrolled in search of smugglers expected in the area. Two boats containing contraband liquor had been seized and were being guarded when Inspector Wood left to pursue another boat operating in the vicinity of Wyandotte. He left in pursuit of one boat loaded with aliens, while his fellow officers pursued another. His wrecked boat, rammed by the smugglers, was found on the river sometime after Patrol Inspector Wood was last seen. Patrol Inspector Wood either drowned or was killed by the smugglers and thrown into the river. His body was never found. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his mother received $22.50 per month until her death in 1931. Body not recovered. 1996 Michael W. Barnes Date of Birth: April 7, 1951 Entered on Duty: March 14, 1976 Title: Patrol Agent in Charge End of Watch: December 12, 1996 Details: On December 12, 1996, about 4:00 p.m., Border Patrol Agents were working on a trail on the Chittum Ranch in Carrizo Springs, Texas, assisted by a Del Rio Sector pilot. They spotted a group of about 13 illegal aliens, who ran when the agents approached them. Agents Barnes apprehended five of the aliens and turned them over to Agent Tapia. He began trying to apprehend the remainder of the group. The pilot spotted the group running along a creek bottom and was guiding agents toward the area. Agent Barnes was within about 50 yards of them when the pilot stated over the radio that Agent Barnes had gone down. He radioed Agent Barnes, but there was no response. When he notified the other agents in the area of the situation, they started making their way to assist him. About 4:32 p.m., Agent Tapia found Agent Barnes face down. Agents determined that he was not breathing and had no pulse. They immediately started performing CPR. Pilot Snyder radioed for an ambulance and a helicopter. Agent Barnes was placed in an INS Bronco and transported to the ambulance. About 5:38 p.m., a helicopter took off with Agents Barnes and Guzman for a hospital in San Antonio, arriving at 6:13 p.m. At 6:25 p.m., a doctor advised Agent Barnes had died. The medical examiner’s office determined he had suffered a massive heart attack. Agent Barnes was born in San Antonio and grew up in Pearsall, Texas. He served as a Supervisor, Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge and Patrol Agent in Charge at the Carrizo Springs Station. Gravesite 2003 James P. Epling Date of Birth: March 9, 1979 Entered on Duty: January 13, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 16, 2003 Details: On December 16, 2003, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Border Patrol Agent James P. Epling was reported missing after responding to sensor activity along the Colorado River near Andrade, California. Agent Epling had apprehended two Chinese illegal immigrants and had rescued another from drowning in the Colorado River. He was attempting to apprehend other illegal immigrants along the river when he suddenly disappeared. A massive rescue operation by Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue teams, as well as multiple local, State, Federal, tribal, and foreign agencies, was immediately initiated. The response and coordinated rescue effort continued for three days. On December 19, 2003, at approximately 7:15 p.m., with the aid of an underwater camera, Agent Epling’s body was located 29 feet deep in the Colorado River. He was approximately 200 yards from where it was believed he initially disappeared. The investigation revealed that Agent Epling had died as a result of accidental drowning. Agent Epling was 24 years old and was a graduate of the 537th session of the Border Patrol Academy. On January 28, 2004, his son, James Paul Epling II, was born. Gravesite 2010 Brian A. Terry Date of Birth August 11, 1970 Entered on Duty: July 23, 2007 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 15, 2010 Details: On December 14, 2010, Agent Brian A. Terry was shot while conducting a Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) operation in the area of ‘Peck Wells’. This area is near Rio Rico, Arizona and about 15 miles north of Nogales, Arizona. At 11:15pm, Agent Terry and his team spotted a group of individuals approaching their position. An encounter ensued and gunfire was exchanged. Agent Terry succumbed to his injuries on December 15, 2010. Agent Terry was a native of Flat Rock, Michigan. He served our country proudly with the United States Marine Corps and continued his service as a Police Officer with the cities of Ecorse and Lincoln Park prior to joining the United States Border Patrol. Agent Terry was a member of the 699th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Naco Border Patrol Station within the Tucson Sector. Agent Terry is survived by his mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, brother and two sisters. The Naco Border Patrol Station was later renamed in his honor. Gravesite December 4 - December 10Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Just this week I shared with fellow Border Patrol Historian, Joe Banco, the feeling of melancholy I sometimes experience as I spend so much time with so many that have been gone for so long. Every week, I reread every document that I reference in the Documents/Events section of the newsletter. Every time that I mention a name of a person who has died, I research and attempt to find their gravestone and give a link in their years of life. Sometimes, it's quite an investment of time to find and confirm their gravesites. I commonly find myself thinking that I'm the only person on the planet that is thinking of that person. Relatedly, I was recently having a conversation with my wife about the recent loss of her mother and the death of my great-grandmother many years ago. We agreed that I was the last generation in my family that would remember my great-grandmother and my wife's children would be the last generation that would remember her mother. After those generations are gone, they'll only be remembered as an image in photographs, or names written in documents or on grave markers. Our conversation led to who might be the last to remember us. Quite a sobering thought of our mortality. Back to USBP history, I tend to concentrate on official documents. That's what is found in National Archives. They comprise the official history of the Patrol. But since I've been authoring these emails, I've received incredible stories from Ron Colburn, Joe Banco, John Burgmeier and others. Stories of big personalities, heroism, tragedies, and humanity. Some have been funny or sad, but all are the building blocks that create the foundation of Patrol's culture. Embarrassingly, I have missed the organizational importance of the stories of the individual as I have presented USBP history. All of us have so many incredible experiences that may never see the light of day. Many of them may involve acts of heroism or the terror of being shot at. Some may be stories of humanity, or the lack thereof. Maybe great law enforcement actions, big personalities or whatever... We've heard of people wanting to collect PA stories to write a book, but it never seems to happen... Well, it turns out that Ray and I have a website. Now, I've tried to highlight the good works of the workforce with the pages of Upholding Honor First. And now I have built another section of the site devoted true PA stories, Border Patrol Stories. There are a few stories there and I hope that you'll email me some more so that they and the individuals that lived them aren't lost in time. I know that we have to protect the identities of the innocent, so the author can be anonymous and names changed, but I'd like to keep the sectors and years accurate. I see this as a way to preserve soul of the Patrol. If you have something to share, please email me the story at [email protected]. I can even put photos in them. This week starts BIG! The first document is General Order 42 from 1924, the Patrol's first uniform policy! We have three gunfights from the late 1920's from El Paso (they seemed to be the only sub-district reporting shootings). We end in 1998 with the approval of the USBP flag. There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries for the week, so I'll present you a mystery. Border Patrol Agent Carlos Martinez is listed as having been a recipient from 1993 while he was assigned to San Diego Sector. That is the extent of the information that I have on his action and I have exhausted my sources. I have records that show "Carlos Martinez" being a member of Class 231 in 1988-1989. If any of you have additional information, I'd love to receive it! We also remember two of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de Corps The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents/Events 1924
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries for the week. USBP Fallen As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 152* fallen. Titles:
The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. *With the exception of two of the fallen immediately below, all names are listed (or in the process of being included) on the official Honor Roll of U.S. Border Patrol Fallen and inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The U.S. Border Patrol should fix these discrepancies. HonorFirst.com honors both of the fallen.
1933
Doyne C. Melton Date of Birth: January 17, 1902 Entered on Duty: October 29, 1927 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 7, 1933 Details: Patrol Inspector Doyne C. Melton was shot and killed in a battle with Mexican smugglers at El Paso, on December 7, 1933. Six Patrol Inspectors were moving up in the darkness on seventeen Mexican smugglers who were wading across the river with packs of liquor. One of three smugglers acting as spotters who had preceded the main body of the smugglers over the river, concealed beneath a platform on the American side, opened hostilities by shooting Inspector Melton. The opening shot was fired without warning and before any challenge had been given. Inspector Melton was shot through the heart, dying instantly. The bitterness of the fight was evidenced by the fact that in addition to the slaying of Inspector Melton, four smugglers were killed and another was wounded. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $54.25 per month. Gravesite 1968 James G. Burns Date of Birth: July 31, 1924 Entered on Duty: June 8, 1955 Title: Senior Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 8, 1968 Details: Official reports covering the death of Senior Patrol Inspector James G. Burns indicated he was performing line watch operations, looking for evidence of illegal aliens in a river bottom near Calexico, California, on Sunday, December 8, 1968. He was searching places of concealment in heavy undergrowth, which was exceptionally strenuous activity and required considerable physical exertion. At 6:30 a.m., he began to suffer pains in the chest area, which prompted him to immediately return to the office. He was taken home by another officer and was then conveyed to the El Centro Community Hospital by his wife. He passed away at 8:25 a.m., less than two hours after being stricken. Death was caused by an occlusion of the left coronary artery due to arteriosclerosis. Gravesite November 27 - December 3Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! It’s that time of the year again… Thanksgiving is over and it’s time to buy gifts for friends and loved ones. Do you have a special Border Patrol employee in your life? Maybe a special Border Patrol retiree? For you supervisors and managers, it's time for end-of-the-year performance awards, perhaps you would like to to recognize your folks while promoting organizational pride? Let me suggest that you visit the Border Patrol Museum Gift Shop. They have everything from coins, patches, apparel, etc... And they have USBP history books! As you have seen, there is only one author that I reference in these newsletters, retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Joseph Banco. His books are the finest and best referenced available and are without competition! I recommend buying the set of three as a gift:
For less than $50 you can purchase a great gift for a friend or a loved one or a meaningful non-traditional award for an employee. Also, Joe is finalizing Volume III. As soon as it's for sale, I'll let you know! I'm sure that I'll be one of the first to but it! Going on a tangent, please remember that the Border Patrol Museum is a non-profit organization. Donations and gift sales are crucial to its continuing existence. The majority of its funding comes from private donations. They need gift sales! If you're not already, please consider membership with the Museum for $40 per year. Visit this page for more information. I'm a continuing member and I love the calendar that I receive each year! Take a look at the Museum's newsletter, The Green Zone. Are you an agent, retiree of a collector that would enjoy purchasing a USBP Authorized Device or a USBP Honorary Award? Maybe you're a recipient and want an extra medal or device for wear. Or maybe you need them to a make a personal shadowbox or display. I'm sorry to inform you that there isn't a mechanism for you or anyone else to obtain or purchase USBP devices or Honorary Awards. You are 100% out-of-luck!
Perhaps USBP HQ would like to see a plan that is beneficial to the workforce, and the Border Patrol Museum would like to see a plan to create funding streams that I believe would be significant. If you agree, send this newsletter link to whomever you think should be aware. The FBI made the template, the current and former workforce, and the BP Museum should be able to benefit from the same approach. This week has tons of documents and occurrences! In 1931, Jeff Milton becomes an Immigrant Inspector ( a position he would hold until his retirement in 1932). There are four separate gunfights in El Paso in the late 1920's (Patrol Inspector Roger's granddaughter gave me his photo to display). We have the Patrol creating Con-Air in 1955 and much more! We celebrate five agents on the anniversaries of their Newton-Azrak Award actions. And, we remember four of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de Corps The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents/Events 1913
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
1988 Charles J. Kothman Border Patrol Agent New Orleans Sector Craig L. Weinbrenner Border Patrol Agent New Orleans Sector William A. Preston Supervisory Border Patrol Agent New Orleans Sector Robert S. Coleman Jr. Supervisory Border Patrol Agent El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agent Charles J. Kothman, Border Patrol Agent Craig L. Weinbrenner, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Robert S. Coleman Jr., and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent William A. Preston were recognized for their actions to help control the uprising of Cuban detainees at the Federal Detention Facility in Oakdale, Louisiana, from November 21, 1987 to November 30, 1987. 2017 Osbaldo Rios Border Patrol Agent Tucson, Arizona On November 29, 2017, Three Points Border Patrol Agent Osbaldo Rios displayed exceptional composure and courage, saving the lives of his partner and himself. Agent Rios was performing patrol duties in an area located approximately 50 miles southwest of Tucson, and about 15 miles north of the international border with Mexico. Agent Rios and two partners had responded to a ground sensor activation in a remote canyon of the Baboquivari Mountains when they observed a group of five suspected illegal aliens. As the agents closed in, the suspects scattered in multiple directions. The agents gave chase and three suspects were apprehended. One agent maintained custody of those suspects while Agent Rios and his other partner continued pursuit of the remaining two. His partner observed a suspect and immediately gave chase, physically engaging the suspect as he was attempting to descend a steep embankment. During the physical encounter, Agent Rios partner rolled down the embankment, with the suspect ending atop of him. As the struggle ensued, the suspect struck the agent several times in the face. The event was observed by an Air and Marine Operations aircraft, and relayed to the other agents. During the encounter, the suspect gained control of the agent's sidearm. As Agent Rios approached his partner's location, he observed the suspect with a firearm pointed at his partner. Agent Rios called out to the suspect to draw his attention and avert him from firing. The suspect looked toward Agent Rios, now aiming the weapon at him. Without hesitation, Agent Rios discharged his service weapon, neutralizing the threat. Agent Rios swift and decisive action resulted in preventing the death or injury of his partner, and himself. USBP Fallen As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 152* fallen. Titles:
The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. *With the exception of two of the fallen immediately below, all names are listed (or in the process of being included) on the official Honor Roll of U.S. Border Patrol Fallen and inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The U.S. Border Patrol should fix these discrepancies. HonorFirst.com honors both of the fallen.
1974
Oscar T. Torres Date of Birth: April 19, 1937 Entered on Duty: June 19, 1969 Title: Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 30, 1974 Details: Patrol Agent Oscar T. Torres was assigned the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift on November 30, 1974, in the El Paso Station area. At approximately 2:30 a.m., he proceeded to the West Railroad Bridge to assist in opening the gates for a train inbound from Mexico. Agent Torres and Patrol Agent (Trainee) Robert M. Worsham walked onto the bridge to open the gates while Worsham's partner, Patrol Agent Wayne Winn, Jr., remained with an apprehended alien in a Border Patrol vehicle at the end of the bridge. After opening the gates and while walking back toward the vehicle, Agent Torres stumbled and fell headfirst through an opening in the bridge to the river bottom, a distance of 25 feet. The fall was witnessed only by the alien, as Trainee Worsham and Agent Winn were not facing toward Torres when the accident took place. The officers immediately went to the aid of Agent Torres, and an ambulance soon removed him to Providence Memorial Hospital. He expired at 4:55 a.m., the cause of death being listed as concussion. Gravesite 1989 John D. Keenan Date of Birth: February 11, 1953 Entered on Duty: November 16, 1987 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 27, 1989 Details: At about 3:50 a.m., on November 27, 1989, Border Patrol Agent John D. Keenan was involved in an automobile accident on U.S. Highway 83 at FM-492 near Mission, Texas. He was operating a Service vehicle and was driving east on U.S. Highway 83 when a northbound vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on FM- 492 failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the accident. Patrol Agent Keenan died at the scene from multiple injuries sustained in the accident. Gravesite 2021 Martin Barrios Entered on Duty: April 28, 2003 Title: Supervisory Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 29, 2021 Details: SBPA Barrios entered on duty on April 28, 2003, as part of the 548th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Brian A. Terry Station in the Tucson Sector, Arizona. SBPA Barrios served his country in the United States Navy from 1990 to 1995 prior to joining the United States Border Patrol. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife Gaby; children: Marty and Samantha; and siblings: Laura and Corina. Cremated Salvador Martinez Jr. Entered on Duty: June 24, 2002 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 30, 2021 Details: Agent Martinez entered on duty on June 24, 2002, as part of the 516th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Alamogordo Station in the El Paso Sector, Texas. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife Leonor; daughter: Itzel; Father: Salvador; siblings: Elva and Lourdes; and cousins Border Patrol Agent Jesus Aguilar and CBP Management and Program Analyst Fabian Aguilar Sr. Agent Martinez was preceded in death by his mother Julia. Cremated November 20 - November 26Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This past week saw the 191st Newton-Azrak Award presented when Border Patrol Agent Leobardo Jacinto was recognized for a harrowing action that occurred in 2010. The 12th anniversary of his action is November 20th and is listed below with the other Newton-Azrak Award anniversaries. Last week, I glossed over an incredible anniversary for the Patrol as as I wrote about Border Patrol Agent John "Charlie" Gigax. I glossed over is what I consider to be the genesis story of the Patrol. Rather than speak of a single document, I'm going to share the story... For a quick background, I wrote the article in 2018 after having visited the National Archives several times beginning in December 2017. In my first research visit to the Archives, I found many of the documents in the article below. I would also find documents that would correct inaccurate Border Patrol history and folklore. Such as... Where the Legend Began - Leading up to the Border Patrol's 75th anniversary in 1999, El Paso Sector was planning events and initiatives for the benchmark date. Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David B. Ham was assigned as the sector's lead. As part of the pending celebration, El Paso's Chief Patrol Agent tasked Chief Ham with creating a slogan for El Paso. Based on the common and incorrect belief that El Paso was the location of the first sector and station, as well as the location of the first National Border Patrol Training School, he coined the phrase, "Where the Legend Began". However, historical documents show that El Paso was neither the location of the first "sector" nor the first station. When funding (pg. 240) was received in 1924, all of the first 32 "sectors" and stations came into being, simultaneously nationwide. Not to lessen the value of the City of El Paso in Border Patrol history, it is believed that Frank Berkshire authored his proposals to create the Border Patrol while in his office El Paso. Evidence suggests that the building in which his office was located is still standing, the Mills Building. Please see the letterhead in this document. The story is in the article below... The Father of the border Patrol |
Clifford GillBlog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate. Ray HarrisSite founder and owner, former Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent. Joseph BancoU.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent. Archives
June 2024
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