About Clifford Gill
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Clifford Gill is a retired Assistant Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he served for nearly 23 years in operational, supervisory, and senior staff roles. His dedication to preserving the agency’s history, advocating for workforce recognition, and strengthening Esprit de Corps continues through HonorFirst.com, an independent historical research and educational initiative recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Cliff is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a veteran of the United States Navy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the American Military University. |
Retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill
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Border Patrol Career
Cliff joined the U.S. Border Patrol in 1998, graduating with Border Patrol Academy Class 377. His first duty station was Laredo South Station, where he worked in field operations. In 2004, he promoted to Supervisory Border Patrol Agent at Laredo North Station, where he took on additional leadership responsibilities.
In 2007, Cliff was promoted to Operations Officer and assigned to the Asset Forfeiture Program at USBP Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2009, he was assigned to the USBP Fleet Management Program and later appointed National Fleet Manager, where he oversaw one of the largest law enforcement vehicle fleets in the federal government. In 2011, he was promoted to Assistant Chief. His work in fleet operations and logistics earned him the 2013 Logistician of the Year Award from the Washington, D.C. chapter of the International Society of Logisticians.
From 2014 to 2015, Cliff served at INTERPOL Washington in the Alien/Fugitive Division, managing cases involving INTERPOL hits, foreign criminal record checks, and intelligence-sharing efforts. His work earned him a Letter of Appreciation from the Assistant Director of INTERPOL in 2015.
His final assignment before retirement was at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, where he served as the Assistant Chief overseeing the Awards and History Programs. In this role, he formalized historical preservation efforts, improved workforce recognition programs, and conducted research at the National Archives, uncovering previously undocumented aspects of Border Patrol history.
In addition to his regular duties, Cliff was a member of the USBP Honor Guard starting in 2000. From 2000 to 2007, he was a member of the Laredo Sector Pipes and Drums, which, along with other sector bands, was later absorbed into the USBP Pipes and Drums (P&D) upon its formation in 2007. Cliff served as the founding Commander of the national USBP Pipes and Drums, overseeing its organization and standardization.
In 2007, Cliff was promoted to Operations Officer and assigned to the Asset Forfeiture Program at USBP Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In 2009, he was assigned to the USBP Fleet Management Program and later appointed National Fleet Manager, where he oversaw one of the largest law enforcement vehicle fleets in the federal government. In 2011, he was promoted to Assistant Chief. His work in fleet operations and logistics earned him the 2013 Logistician of the Year Award from the Washington, D.C. chapter of the International Society of Logisticians.
From 2014 to 2015, Cliff served at INTERPOL Washington in the Alien/Fugitive Division, managing cases involving INTERPOL hits, foreign criminal record checks, and intelligence-sharing efforts. His work earned him a Letter of Appreciation from the Assistant Director of INTERPOL in 2015.
His final assignment before retirement was at U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters, where he served as the Assistant Chief overseeing the Awards and History Programs. In this role, he formalized historical preservation efforts, improved workforce recognition programs, and conducted research at the National Archives, uncovering previously undocumented aspects of Border Patrol history.
In addition to his regular duties, Cliff was a member of the USBP Honor Guard starting in 2000. From 2000 to 2007, he was a member of the Laredo Sector Pipes and Drums, which, along with other sector bands, was later absorbed into the USBP Pipes and Drums (P&D) upon its formation in 2007. Cliff served as the founding Commander of the national USBP Pipes and Drums, overseeing its organization and standardization.
Recognition and Workforce Advocacy
Cliff has been a longtime advocate for honoring the heroism and service of the Border Patrol workforce. In 2018, he developed and championed the USBP Honorary Awards Program, a formal initiative designed to properly recognize acts of valor, service, and dedication within the Border Patrol. Through this program, many hundreds of employees received long-overdue commendations. Cliff’s own life-saving actions from 2000 were formally recognized years later under the established process with the USBP Newton-Azrak Award and the USBP Commendation Medal with a "V" device.
He is also a recipient of the USBP Achievement Medal with "2" device in lieu of a second award and the USBP 75th Anniversary Medal.
He is also a recipient of the USBP Achievement Medal with "2" device in lieu of a second award and the USBP 75th Anniversary Medal.
HonorFirst.com and Historical Research
Today, Cliff continues his historical research and education efforts through HonorFirst.com, an independent initiative dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the U.S. Border Patrol. The site also serves as a resource for applicants navigating the hiring process, offering publicly available information in an organized and accessible format.
He is the author of This Week in USBP History, a weekly publication in which he has posted consecutively for nearly four years. Cliff has made personal contributions to support HonorFirst.com’s operations and research efforts, ensuring that historical content remains freely accessible to the public.
He is the author of This Week in USBP History, a weekly publication in which he has posted consecutively for nearly four years. Cliff has made personal contributions to support HonorFirst.com’s operations and research efforts, ensuring that historical content remains freely accessible to the public.
Continued Leadership and Service
Beyond HonorFirst, Cliff has served in multiple volunteer leadership roles, including:
In retirement, Cliff continues to engage with the USBP workforce by sharing historical research, assisting with recognition efforts, and providing information related to the agency’s legacy. Through HonorFirst.com, he fosters historical awareness and Esprit de Corps among current and former Border Patrol personnel.
A resident of Manassas, Virginia, he remains engaged in historical research, leadership, and community service. His commitment to preserving the legacy of the Border Patrol workforce continues beyond his career, ensuring that its history, traditions, and sacrifices are properly documented and honored for future generations.
For Cliff, Honor First isn’t just a motto—it’s a way of life.
- Webmaster and voting member of the Board of Directors for the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers,
- Former Director and Quartermaster and current Drum Corporal for the Northern Virginia Firefighters' Emerald Society Pipe Band,
- Former Director of Communications for the USS John Young Veteran's Association.
In retirement, Cliff continues to engage with the USBP workforce by sharing historical research, assisting with recognition efforts, and providing information related to the agency’s legacy. Through HonorFirst.com, he fosters historical awareness and Esprit de Corps among current and former Border Patrol personnel.
A resident of Manassas, Virginia, he remains engaged in historical research, leadership, and community service. His commitment to preserving the legacy of the Border Patrol workforce continues beyond his career, ensuring that its history, traditions, and sacrifices are properly documented and honored for future generations.
For Cliff, Honor First isn’t just a motto—it’s a way of life.
End of enlistment portrait, 1991
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Portrait taken for the USBP 75th Anniversary, 1999
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Retirement portrait, December 2020
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USBP - W.I.N. E30: Ret. Assistant Chief Clifford Gill
Chief Patrol Agent Jason Owens, interviews Retired Assistant Chief Clifford Gill. Clifford Gill is considered the first Border Patrol Historian. Gill discusses several myths regarding Border Patrol history. Topics include the actual founder of the Border Patrol, and the first established Border Patrol Station. |
Click the photo above to watch the video.
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The photograph above was taken of Cliff in December 2018 at the National Archives in Washington DC. At the time, he was the USBP's historian was discovering many of the documents that were used to create pages in this website.
