This Week in USBP History, Vol. 29

March 20 - March 26

Good morning,
Another huge week in USBP history.  This week starts with letters of recommendation and complaints for Jeff Milton. There are documents concerning firearms training in the 1930’s, internment camp tears gas inventories in the 1940’s, and the need for a border barrier in the McAllen Sector in the 1950’s.

We remember 8 recipients of the Newton-Azrak Award, including the first two women recipients.  Related to one of the Newton-Azrak Award actions, we remember one of the greatest strengths of the USBP Honorary Award program (the ability to consider and recognize past actions, correcting past wrongs) as Cary Scott received the USBP Commendation Medal with a “V” device 7 years after the event.

Finally, this week marks the LODD anniversaries of three of our fallen.

Enjoy!
 
Esprit de Corps

The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale. 

• Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture. 
• Employee morale is the feeling experienced by employees based in part on their perception of:
  • Being valued by the organization, 
  • Fairly compensated, and 
  • Performing meaningful work.  

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.

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USBP History
1904

• On March 26, 1904, George Webb, the Inspector in Charge of Tucson wrote a letter of recommendationto hire J.D. Milton as a “Chinese and Immigration Inspector.”  In the letter, Webb recommends that Milton be compensated $1 per day for horse feed which would be enough for Milton to maintain two horses (one for riding and the other as a pack horse).
  • No evidence has been discovered that would support that Border Patrol Inspectors were required to provide their own horses, saddles or firearms as a condition of employment.  However, in those instances where a Border Patrol Inspector used their own horse, the government would provide reimbursement.
    • This 1905 document is an example of Jeff Milton receiving additional pay for using his own horse. 
    • 1924 Border Patrol Inspector announcement - no requirement for horse, saddle or firearm.
    • 1925 Border Patrol Inspector announcement - no requirement for horse, saddle or firearm.

1907

• On March 22, 1907, George Webb, who was then the supervisor of Jeff Milton wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning Milton having an accidental discharge while attempting to stop a dog fight resulting in the injury of a person (shot in the foot with a ricocheting round).  Webb defends Milton by stating, “I further state that, if Milton had fired at the dog or man intentionally, the bullet would have penetrated a deadly spot, as he is a "crack shot."  Further, Milton was arrested and Webb writes, “The most damaging evidence submitted against Milton seems to be that of the arresting officer, in which he states that Milton denied having a gun, which is not corroborated by any other witness, and can be accounted for by him being a Mexican, newly appointed to office and desiring a reputation.”
• On March 25, 1907, once again Webb had to write a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning Milton.  In this instance, a complaint against Milton had been sent to the President and the Commissioner-General wanted additional information. This is a must-read document. See some of the quotes below: 
  • Concerning the complainant, Dave Black, Webb writes - I beg to advise that Black is personally known to me; that no credit can be given to the statement made by him, he being a professional saloon loafer, and alleged to be addicted to the morphine habit, and no doubt resorts to illegal means by aiding in the illegal importation of Chinese from Mexico (He being a Chinese mason); yet we have been unable to apprehend him.
  • … (Black) was making threats that he would kill Milton on sight; to which Milton replied that Black was a very foolish man.

1926

• On March 24, 1926, a memo was written to convert Immigrant Inspectors who had been designated to be Patrol Inspectors in Charge to Immigrant Inspectors designated to be Chief Patrol Inspectors.  This change was driven by General Order 61 which was signed on March 18, 1926. 
• On March 26, 1926, U.S. Customs Border Patrol Inspector Elton Clark wrote a letter to the Buffalo District Director. Clark had applied to become and was offered a position as a U.S. Immigration Border Patrol Inspector.  Clark declined the position and asked that his name be left in consideration for one year.  None of my records show an “Elton Clark” ever having been an Immigration Border Patrol Inspector.  I guess he didn’t jump ship.
• On March 26, 1926, the Commissioner-General sent a memo to the Commissioners of Immigration and the District Directors concerning the newly signed General Order 61.  The memo stated that GO61 would not come into effect until April 1.  Therefore, that date is the birth date of the position, Chief of the Border Patrol (then called Supervisor of Border Patrol).
  • Being a veteran of the U.S. Navy and knowing that at least one of the recipients of this email was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, I would be remiss if failed to point out that the two positions share the same birth dates, 
    • Chief Petty Officer – April 1, 1893
    • Chief of the Border Patrol – April 1, 1926

1930

• On March 24, 1930, the Commissioner-General wrote a memo that identified the hierarchy, leadership and locations of the USBP at the time on the border with Mexico.  At the time, there were three Districts with the ranking USBP holding the title of Assistant Superintendent.  Chief Patrol Inspectors led sub-districts (sectors) and Patrol Inspectors in Charge led stations.

1932

• On March 26, 1932, Second Assistant Secretary (Department of Labor) William Husband wrote a memoto the Secretary concerning the USBP position of Assistant Superintendents.   Husband had been the Commissioner-General 1921-1925, as the USBP was created.  Further, the memo was written “in conference with Directors Harris and Berkshire”.
  • George Harris is the only person to have served nonconsecutive terms as “Chief” of the Border Patrol.  During both of his terms, the USBP had northern border and southern border “Chiefs”, 1926-1927 and 1932-1933.
  • Concerning Harris and Berkshire having the titles of “Director”, in 1932 GO61 was superseded with two other General Orders which created the two Border Districts and the position of Supervisor of the Border Patrol was changed to Director, Border Patrol:
    • General Order 183 – (January 5, 1932) which created the Director of the Border Patrol for the Mexican Border, Gulf and Florida immigration districts.  The district was headquartered in El Paso and George Harris came back to be the "Chief" for a nonconsecutive term.
    • General Order 184 - (January 5, 1932) which created the Director of the Canadian Border District.  The district was headquartered in Detroit and Frank Berkshire, the Father of the Border Patrol, became the third person to be "Chief" of the Border Patrol.
    • The two border district approach was very short-lived, beginning in 1932 and ending in 1933 when GO183 and GO184 were superseded with General Order 203 which reinstated GO61 effective June 1, 1933.

1935

• On March 23, 1935, famed Border Patrol Inspector Charles Askins, Jr. submitted a 17-page outline “for a course of Instruction (pistol) for future Border Patrol Training Schools.”
  • Remember, a photograph (courtesy of the  Border Patrol Museum)  of a Border Patrol training class that was in session December 3, 1934 - March 17, 1935, is used as the birthdate of the USBP Academy.  It is unknown if Camp Chigas had been used by the El Paso District (Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sub-districts) to train district employees before that photo. However, the concept of creating a national academy had been discussed and researched in 1934 (see this document and this document).  Records were not kept that identified the date that Camp Chigas began training all Border Patrol new hires and therefore became the national Academy. Nevertheless, 1936 is the year that documents support that having occurred.

1945

• On March 20, 1945, the Acting Assistant Commissioner for Alien Control wrote a request for informationconcerning the inventory of tear gas and other like items at five internment camps.  The Acting Assistant Commissioner was Nicolas Donald Collaer who began his Immigration Service career in the El Paso District in 1922 and would retire after having been the Chief of the Border Patrol (1948-1950). 

1953

• On March 20, 1953, Chief Patrol Inspector Fletcher Rawls of the McAllen Sector (now the Rio Grande Valley Sector) submitted a 7-page report concerning “the need construction of boundary fence and observation towers in vicinity of Brownsville, Texas-Matamoros, Mexico to control illegal traffic.”  The document is a “condensed report taken from a 29-page report submitted by Patrol Inspector in Charge Snow.”  The first two paragraphs which were written 68 years ago, seem just as applicable today.
  • The illegal traffic across the practically dry Rio Grande River bed within the area encompassed by the city limits of Brownsville, Texas and the neighboring city of Matamoros, Tamps., Mexico has reached such proportions that the construction of a boundary fence seems to be not only necessary and justified but also almost imperative. I know of no other way to cope with the situation. It is already completely beyond the ability of the presently authorized strength of the Brownsville Border Patrol unit to control, and grows worse steadily.
  • The seriousness of this situation lies not only in the fact that such large numbers of aliens are violating our Immigration laws to the point or making a farce or them, but that this disgraceful situation has become a public spectacle with thousands of out of state visitors from all over the nation witnessing and photographing these brazen mass violations of our laws in open daylight.

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Newton-Azrak Award Actions 
(Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First)

• An organization’s values are codified in its awards system. Recognizing the achievements, service and heroism of employees is important.  It is critical for those in positions of leadership to value the workforce.  Awards are a fundamental manner for leaders to demonstrate appreciation to the workforce for upholding the organizational values. – U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards

 
1979
Kenneth D. Crockett - group photo
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
Larry M. Herbert
Investigator
Yuma, Arizona
William A. McIver - award documents, photo 1, photo 2
Border Patrol Agent
Houlton Sector

On March 25, 1978 at approximately 6:30 PM, Agent Larry Herbert was near a construction bridge that spans the Andrade and Morales area near Yuma, Arizona.  The water which flows under the bridge is constricted which creates an extremely dangerous and turbulent whirlpool.

As Agent Herbert approached the bridge, he saw three people in a small boat.  The operator of the boat was frantically attempting and failing to start the boat's motor.  Agent Herbert immediately radioed for help. 

Agent Herbert attempted unsuccessfully to reach the people with a tow strap before it was pulled into the turbulent waters where it capsized spilling the occupants into the water.  All of the occupants were having difficulty keeping their heads above water.  Agent Herbert was able to quickly pull two of the victims from the water.  Keeping the third person in sight, he instructed one of the people he had just saved to use his Service vehicle's radio to advise that more help was needed.

Upon seeing that the third victim had been pulled into the whirlpool, Agent Herbert jumped into the water to rescue him.  Becoming exhausted and unable to save the victim, Agent Herbert swam to shore.

As Agent Herbert swam to shore, Agent William McIver and Agent Kenneth Crockett arrived at the scene.  Agent McIver immediately jumped into the water and entered the whirlpool with the victim.  After a tremendous struggle, Agent McIver was able to escape the whirlpool with the victim. 

Having become exhausted, Agent McIver couldn't get himself and the victim out of the water.  Agent Crockett then reach out and was able to pull both Agent McIver and the third victim to shore.
 

1994 – (first female Newton-Azrak Award recipients)
Christina M. Carnes
Border Patrol Agent 
El Paso Sector
David Hinojosa Jr.
Border Patrol Agent
El Paso Sector
Cheryl R. Smith
Border Patrol Agent
El Paso Sector
Bruce L. Cooke
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
El Paso Sector

On March 20, 1994, Rose Johnson-Navarro was involved in a one-vehicle accident on Paisano Avenue in El Paso, Texas.  Her vehicle had gone out of control, crashed through a fence and guard rail, and came to rest on its wheels with the front end slanted down towards a deep canal.

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Bruce L. Cooke, Border Patrol Agents Cheryl Smith, Christina M. Carnes, and David Hinjosa Jr. of the El Paso Border Patrol Station responded to the scene.  The entire front part of the vehicle was engulfed in flames that swept back over the front half of the vehicle.  The inside of the vehicle was completely obscured with smoke.  A bystander informed the agents that no one had escaped from the vehicle.

With the knowledge that someone was still inside the burning vehicle and at great personal risk, the agents attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher.  They managed to suppress the fire enough to open the driver side door.  They then entered the burning vehicle and extricated Ms. Johnson, who was injured and unable to escape.

After being carried to a safe distance, Ms. Johnson advised the agents that her two children were still inside the vehicle.

Agents Smith, Carnes, and Hinjosa then returned to the vehicle that was almost fully engulfed in flames and managed to search for the missing children to no avail.  It was later determined that the children had not been in the vehicle.

Agents Cooke, Smith, Carnes, and Hinjosa, at their own personal life risk, saved the life of Rose Johnson-Navarro by exercising unusual courage and bravery.
 

2013
* Ruben Mendoza - photo
Border Patrol Agent, 
Hebbronville, Texas

For his heroic actions to save a wounded agent under extreme duress. On March 21, 2013, Agent Ruben Mendoza was involved in a lethal force incident near Hebbronville, Texas. Two agents on roving patrol stopped to assist an individual they initially believed to be a stranded motorist. During the course of the encounter, the agents discovered the motorist was a violent felon, driving a stolen vehicle. When one of the agents attempted to search the subject before arrest, the subject resisted. As the two other agents struggled with the subject, Agent Mendoza moved to a position of tactical advantage and drew his service weapon. The subject gained access to a hidden handgun, and fired at the two agents, wounding one of them. At that time, BPA Mendoza fired several rounds, incapacitating the subject. Agent Mendoza then rendered first aid to the wounded agent. Agent Mendoza’s composure and professionalism under extreme pressure prevented further harm to his colleagues.

*Pedro Saldivar was the agent wounded during this action.  He was recognized with the Commissioner’s Meritorious Service Award for Valor and the USBP Purple Cross.  

As per the Texas DPS investigator, Border Patrol Agent Cary Scott saved all three agents by physically engaging the shooter.  His tenacious grappling with the shooter preventing the shooter from delivering accurate fire.  At the time, Agent Scott received no recognition. Cary Scott became the first person whose past acts of unrecognized heroism/valor was recognized under the USBP Honorary Awards.  He received a USBP Commendation Medal with “V” device for extraordinary heroism.  Cary’s action was a major catalyst in the development of the USBP Honorary Awards policy, specifically authorizing past actions to be considered and recognized.

​I will note that Chief Ortiz has crippled the ability of the USBP to recognize past acts like those of Cary Scott.  Chief Ortiz personally blocked over 370 employees from receiving USBP recognition for their past worthy acts, include four employees who were nominated and recommend to receive Newton-Azrak Awards.  Further, Agent Saldivar should also have received a USBP Commendation Medal with “V” device but Chief Ortiz’s decision blocks that recognition also.

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USBP Fallen
As of December 8, 2021, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 151* fallen.
Titles

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 99 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
• 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist

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.

*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.

• Joe R. White - He is recognized as officially fallen by the U.S. Border Patrol but his name is not inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.
• John Charles Gigax - His name is inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see link) but he is not recognized as officially fallen by the U.S. Border Patrol.  His EOW was November 7, 1999.

 
1929
Earl A. Roberts
Date of Birth:                     August 21, 1894
Entered on Duty:               January 21, 1929
Title:                                   Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    March 24, 1929
Details:
Patrol Inspector Earl A. Roberts was shot by a liquor smuggler at about 8:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 1929, and died from the wound at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 24, 1929. The shooting occurred on the St. Clair River, in Algonac, Michigan. Inspector Roberts was working with Patrol Inspector Stanley H. Graham, when they noticed a motorboat towing a small rowboat approaching from the direction of Canada. The officers proceeded along the shore following the course of the boat in an attempt to intercept it when the shore was reached. The officers separated in order to converge on a probable landing point. The motorboat came to the shore, at which time Patrol Inspector Roberts stepped aboard the stern of the boat and identified himself as a federal officer. Patrol Inspector Graham, who was standing on the shore a few feet from the boat, flashed his light on the occupants and observed that an individual known to him as Vet Brown was standing in the center of the boat with a .45 caliber revolver aimed at Inspector Roberts. Inspector Graham instructed Brown to surrender; however, the latter fired, point-blank, at Inspector Roberts and immediately whirled toward Inspector Graham, firing the remaining bullets in that direction. Inspector Graham emptied his gun in returning fire, but none of the shots exchanged hit their mark. A second individual in the boat, later identified as Clayton Smith, had jumped from the boat into the rowboat that was being towed and had cast-off, setting a course for Canada. Smith was a witness to the events and later testified on behalf of the government in the case against Brown.

Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $82.50 per month.
 
1930
Harry E. Vincent
Date of Birth:                     October 3, 1895
Entered on Duty:               February 16, 1926
Title:                                   Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    March 25, 1930
Details:
During the evening of March 23, 1930, Senior Patrol Inspector James E. Renshaw and Patrol Inspector Harry E. Vincent were inspecting northbound traffic about one mile north of Oceanside, California. The traffic check operation was being conducted on a temporary roadway where new construction was underway. At 10:00 p.m., an automobile traveling in a southerly direction missed the detour and struck down Officers Renshaw and Vincent. Both officers were knocked unconscious. A bystander, Mr. William Trotter, took charge of the situation.  Mr. Trotter had the officers transported to a clinic in Oceanside. He also sent word to other Patrol Inspectors working nearby in conjunction with the traffic check operation. 

Senior Patrol Inspector Renshaw was not seriously injured but Patrol Inspector Vincent was in serious condition with a fractured skull. The following day preliminary arrangements were made to move Inspector Vincent to the Navy Hospital in San Diego, California, but after consultation by several doctors, it was agreed that there was little chance for recovery and no chance at all, if Inspector Vincent was moved.  Patrol Inspector Vincent passed away at 5:00 a.m., March 25, 1930.

Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $75 for her and their child per month. Upon his wife remarrying, the child received $41.67 per month.
 

1932
Frank Vidmar, Jr.
Date of Birth:                     September 20, 1901
Entered on Duty:               July 6, 1931
Title:                                   Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    March 24, 1932
Details:
Patrol Inspectors Frank Vidmar, Jr. and James W. Hudson were performing voluntary extra duty in the vicinity of Lewiston, New York, in an effort to apprehend a known alien smuggler. Since the government vehicle customarily used was known to the smuggler, the personal automobile of Patrol Inspector Vidmar was being used, with Inspector Hudson doing the driving. The smuggler was encountered in his automobile, accompanied by two other persons, at Lewiston Heights during the early morning hours. He disregarded the command of the officers to stop, and increased the speed of his vehicle trying to escape. The officers gave chase pursuing the smuggler's car at 50 miles per hour into the city of Niagara Falls. At a curve in the roadway, the officers' car skidded on the icy pavement and collided broadside with an oncoming trolley car, demolishing the car owned by Patrol Inspector Vidmar, and causing injuries that resulted in his death. Inspector Vidmar died at 4:52 p.m., March 24, 1932, after failing to regain consciousness. He sustained a fractured skull, brain concussion, and a crushed chest. Patrol Inspector Hudson was badly injured but survived.

​Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $67.50 per month for her and their child.