This Week in USBP History, Vol. 28

March 13 - March 19

Good morning,
This is a huge week in USBP history: 

• There is a 1918 document that was on the path to the creation of the U.S. Border Patrol,
• What I think is the most influential document in USBP history, General Order 61,
• The most epic name to have donned a USBP uniform, Inspector Sixkiller!
• Four Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries, and
• We remember four of our fallen on the anniversaries of their line of duty deaths.

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
1918

• On March 15, 1918, and unknown person wrote a response to the status of the southern borderpresented by Frank Berkshire a month earlier.  These two documents are some of the first documents that would lead to Berkshire’s proposals to create the U.S. Border Patrol. Visit this page if you haven’t already - The Father of the Border Patrol

1925

• On March 14, 1925, The District Director of the Jacksonville district forwarded a uniform related requestto the Commissioner-General from the Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Jacksonville Sub-district. Several things of interest are present in the memo:
  • This document (page 2) inarguably proves that Border Patrol employees were assigned to Florida in 1924 staring with 3 sub-districts (called sectors in the 1940’s), Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami.
  • This memo was written a mere 3 months after the implementation of the USBP’s first uniform policy, General Order 42.
  • It includes the coolest name of any Border Patrol Inspector or Agent, ever!  Jesse M. Sixkiller (1899-1959)!

1926

• On March 16, 1926, General Order 61 (GO 61) was signed.  It is a foundational document in Border Patrol history and, perhaps, the single most influential document in Border Patrol history for the following reasons;
  • It contains one of the earliest known descriptions of the functions of the Border Patrol (GO 63expanded on this)
    • The Border Patrol is an auxiliary branch of the regular Immigration Service.  The Patrol is established primarily to prevent and detect the surreptitious entry of aliens into the United States. It will however, aid in the enforcement of all federal laws designed to safeguard our country against the introduction of contraband. The Patrol will, in general, operate along and in the vicinity of the international and maritime borders of the United States. 
  • It created the hierarchal naming convention of calling a sub-district (modern-day sector) by both a number, and the city in which it was located. It is believed that this document’s concept was also used for stations and is the genesis for El Paso Station being called “Station One” and Laredo Sector calling all of their stations “Base #” to name two.  See the USBP History page, “Why is the El Paso Station called Station One?” section for more information.
    • Each Patrol district will in turn be appropriately divided into subdistricts numbered consecutively, beginning with No. 1 in each district. 
  • It created an organizational framework that is recognizable today.
    • Supervisors (Border Patrol) – This is what we call Chief of the Border Patrol today.  This was a non-uniformed position.
    • Officers in charge of districts – This was an extra title added on to the 11 heads of districts that had Border Patrol employees.  They were not Border Patrol employees but were in their chains of command.  Their official titles were either “District Director” or “Commissioner of Immigration”.
    • Assistant Superintendents, who shall be qualified immigrant inspectors – These were the ranking Border Patrol employees in a district.  There was only one per district.  Remember, a district was comprised of multiple sub-districts, modern-day sectors.  They were also the highest-ranking uniformed position in the USBP.
    • Chief Patrol Inspectors, who shall be qualified immigrant inspectors – They led sub-districts and the title is still used today with “Agent” instead of “Inspector”
    • Senior Patrol Inspectors – This was a supervisory position between the Chief Patrol Inspector and Patrol Inspectors. The position had a one sentence position description (below) until this guidance was issued.  It is also the launching point of the 10-15 positions that exist between the modern-day Border Patrol Agent and Chief Patrol Agent.
      • Senior Patrol Inspectors will perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the respective Chief Patrol Inspectors under whom they serve. 
    • Patrol Inspectors – The heart of the organization
      • Patrol Inspectors will be expected to familiarize themselves with all federal statutes designed to prevent the unlawful entry of aliens and introduction of contraband. Law violators apprehended, together with any contraband seized by patrol inspectors, will be turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies, and proper receipt therefore, on Form 644, secured when delivery is made to other than immigration officers. They will be charged with the proper use and care of all Government equipment entrusted to them.
    • Clerks, and Motor Mechanics – USBP support personnel have been there since the beginning.
  • It created reports that both one and two patch agents may recognize
    • The Daily Report – Form 650
    • Receipts for Persons and Contraband – Form 644
      • They evolved to become the I-44 in the 1940’s
    • Weekly Reports – Form 643
    • Monthly Reports

1931

• On March 11, 1931, a letter requesting information about wearing military and state decorations was written.  This letter is the earliest document concerning the wearing of awards of which I am aware.  However, there are photos of early Border Patrol Inspectors wearing awards as is in this photo (white shirts were first authorized under the jacket in 1928 as per the amendments to General Order 42).
  • USBP Honorary Awards are authorized for wear.  Unfortunately, the majority of leaders do not support the USBP’s formal recognition system by wearing their awards. 

1933 

• On March 13, 1931, George Harris, wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General requesting fabric that was used for rank and time-in-service insignia.  This short memo is full of interesting items:
  • Harris’ title is “Director”.  That was the title used for “Chief of the Border Patrol” from 1932-1933.  This would mark the second time that Harris was the “Chief of the Border Patrol”.  He is the only person to have been Chief in non-consecutive terms. See the USBP History page, “What were the two Border Districts?” for more information.
  • The insignia are described in General Order 179, the USBP’s second uniform policy.  The silver fabric was for Border Patrol Inspectors and Senior Patrol Inspectors.  The gold fabric was for Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents.  The stars and 1/4” width fabric were used for time-in-service insignia and the 3/8” width fabric was used for the rank insignia for Senior Patrol Inspectors, Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents.  See this pagefor more information on the USBP’s early rank and time-in-service insignia.

1934

• On March 16, 1934, the Chief Patrol Inspector of the El Paso Sub-district recommended the adoption on a rough duty uniform to the District Director.  This is the earliest document concerning a rough duty uniform of which I am aware.

1939

• On January 18, 1939, the Central Office (HQ for you newbies) issued a memo to the field to inventory all badges and cap insignia for all positions. All of the field responses have been collected from the National Archive giving the most complete list of badges and cap insignia available for that time.  The Spokane District sent their response on March 14, 1939.

1942

• On March 18, 1942, the Assistant Chief Supervisor of the Border Patrol wrote a letter to the National Park Service request their building designs.  The Border Patrol was going to use them in assisting to design USBP buildings in El Centro, Tucson, El Paso, Alpine, and other unnamed areas.  
  • The position of “Assistant Chief Supervisor of the Border” would evolve to be the Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol.  This document from October 18, 1940, is he earliest document of which I am aware that speaks to the position (coincidentally, the document concerned facilities and the position was held by H.J. Walls then).  By 1950, H.J. Walls would be a Supervising Engineer.

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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

 
1992
Christopher M. Jacobs (one of the 26 non-USBP recipients)
Detention Enforcement Officer
Buffalo, New York
On March 16, 1992, Detention Enforcement Officer Christopher M. Jacobs saved a passenger from a burning vehicle.  He and another officer were escorting a detained alien on the New York State Thruway.  They were at a tollbooth when a vehicle traveling at a high speed plowed into the rear of another vehicle in the booth adjacent to the D & D vehicle.  There was an instantaneous explosion that pushed the vehicle forward about 200 feet, engulfing the car into a fireball.  Officer Jacobs exited his vehicle, obtained a fire extinguisher, and ran to the vehicle.  The driver was able to exit on his own but the passenger was semi-conscious and unable to get out.  Officer Jacobs entered through the driver’s door, ignoring the real danger for himself, and got the passenger out.  He administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.
 

Alan W. Marshall
Border Patrol Agent
Buffalo Sector
During the evening shift on March 15, 1992, Border Patrol Agent Alan W. Marshall made a winter water rescue of an alien he was pursuing, who broke through an ice-covered pond.  In trying to reach the man, Agent Marshall was plunged into the same water as the ice gave way beneath him.  Agent Marshall’s strength, endurance, and bravery saved not only himself, but also the alien twice that night.  After having to physically lift the man from the water, Agent Marshall had to force the man to stay on his feet and walk to reach shelter in 17-degree weather.
 

1998
Richard L. Ashlaw
Patrol Agent In Charge
Swanton Sector
For his heroic actions and unselfish disregard of his own personal safety to come to the rescue of James Baker, who otherwise had no chance of surviving the New Albion Hotel fire March 16, 1998.  Patrol Agent in Charge Ashlaw’s actions certainly went above and beyond the responsibilities and duties of a Border Patrol Agent.


​1999Floyd Southerland III 
Border Patrol Agent
Del Rio Sector
On March 18, 1999, at approximately 12 noon, Border Patrol Agent Floyd “Buddy” Southerland III and his partner responded to sensor activity three miles up river from the Port of Entry at Del Rio, Texas.  Upon arrival at the location of the sensors, Agent Southerland and his partner observed four subjects on the United States side of the Rio Grande River.  When the four subjects saw the Border Patrol vehicle, three of the four jumped into the river and began to swim to an island in mid-river.  The fourth hesitated, looked at the agents, then jumped.  The fourth man could not swim.

The Rio Grande River flow down river from Amistad Dam is controlled through water release monitored by the International Boundary and Water Commission.  The commission had increased water release from the dam to supplement irrigation needs in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas to a level that brought the river to a very high and swift current.

As Agent Southerland arrived and observed the scene, the fourth man was floundering in the water away from the shore and near the mid-river island.  Agent Southerland shouted to the three men on the island to help their friend, but they refused.  The Rio Grande, due to high water, was a mass of floating debris of cane stalks and other flotsam.  Thinking quickly as he watched the river drag the man down and away from the shore and island, Buddy told his partner to get the spare tire from the government vehicle as he began to remove his gun belt and boots.  Without hesitation and with total disregard for his own safety, Agent Southerland dove into the muddy river to search for the man.  Agent Southerland’s partner cast the spare tire into the river, Agent Southerland used the tire as a floatation device, swam out, located the floundering man, pulled his head out of the water and with monumental effort, brought the man back to the safety of the river bank.  The man was a 29-year-old Mexican national.

Agent Southerland’s act of selfless heroism and life-saving actions of commendable efficiency and skill draw upon his training and experience acquired throughout his career with the U.S. Border Patrol.  He displayed great physical courage, as well as moral courage, to do the right thing. 

This was the second act of heroism that Agent Southerland had been involved in during that Fiscal Year.

​In October of 1998, Buddy was cited by the office of the District Attorney, 63rd Judicial District of Texas, for his apprehension and arrest of a man who had kidnapped a teenaged girl, terrorized, and sexually assaulted her.  It was the opinion of the District Attorney that Buddy saved her life by rescuing the girl from the man who was holding this young victim.

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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.

 

 
2006
Nicholas D. Greenig
Date of Birth:                February 20, 1978
Entered on Duty:          December 1, 2002
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:              March 14, 2006
Details:
On March 14, 2006, Agent Nicholas Greenig was killed in a vehicle accident on the Tohono O'odham Nation in Pima County, Arizona, when the department vehicle he was riding in struck a bull walking across the highway. He and his partner were working a plainclothes detail when the accident occurred at approximately 8:00 pm.

Agent Greenig had served with the Border Patrol for three years and was assigned to Ajo Station in Tucson Sector. He was raised in Laurel, Montana, where he attended public schools before he transferred to a private high school in Billings. He graduated with honors from Utah Valley State College in Provo and joined the Border Patrol in 2002. Agent Greenig was a graduate of the 535th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was a senior patrol agent and a member of a special unit that targeted violent criminal organizations, which smuggled people and drugs.
 

 
2007
*Ramon Nevarez, Jr.
Date of Birth:                March 27, 1983
Entered on Duty:          August 15, 2005
Title:                             Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:              March 15, 2007
Details:
On March 15, 2007, Agents Ramon Nevarez and David Tourscher were involved in a single vehicle accident on NM Highway 338 near Cotton City, New Mexico.  At approximately 9:00 p.m., Agent Nevarez succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Agent Tourscher was flown to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where he died. Agent Nevarez had served with the Border Patrol for two years.
 

*David J. Tourscher
Date of Birth:                November 22, 1982
Entered on Duty:          June 26, 2006
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent (trainee)
End of Watch:               March 16, 2007
Details:
On March 15, 2007, Agents David Tourscher and Ramon Nevarez were involved in a single vehicle accident on NM Highway 338 near Cotton City, New Mexico.
Agent Nevarez succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Agent Tourscher was flown to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, where he died early the following morning.  Agent Tourscher had served with the Border Patrol for nine months.
 

2021
Alejandro Flores-Bañuelos
Date of Birth:                November 4, 1985                              
Entered on Duty:          March 5, 2009
Title:                             Border Patrol Agent 
End of Watch:               March 15, 2021
Details: 
Border Patrol Agent Alejandro Flores-Bañuelos was struck by a vehicle and killed on March 15, 2021.  Agent Flores-Bañuelos had responded to reports of a crash on state Route 86, a four-lane divided highway north of Marina, California.  The traffic accident occurred during a dust storm that caused low visibility in the area.   Flores-Bañuelos was the first to arrive on the scene and began assisting a 75-year-old woman whose vehicle had become disabled in the roadway.  A second northbound vehicle struck Agent Flores-Bañuelos who was transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital and later succumbed to his injuries.

BPA Flores-Bañuelos started his CBP career on March 5, 2009 and spent his entire Border Patrol career at the Indio, California Border Patrol Station in the El Centro Sector.  Prior to joining the Border Patrol, Agent Flores-Bañuelos honorably served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He was born and raised in Richgrove, California and graduated from McFarland High School in McFarland, California.  He is survived by his wife, his three children and his mother.
 
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* A sad fact is that the USBP has lost two Agents/Inspectors due to the same event nine times (18 fallen).  Their names are listed below:

1. Donald Kee and William F. Buckelew in 1954
2. Douglas C. Shute and James M. Carter in 1956
3. Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak in 1967
4. Friedrich Karl and John S. Blue in 1973
5. Susan L. Rodriguez and Ricardo G. Salinas in 1998
6. Jesus de la Ossa and Thomas J. Williams in 1998
7. Travis W. Attaway and Jeremy M. Wilson in 2004
8. Ramon Nevarez, Jr. and David J. Tourscher in 2007
9. Hector R. Clark and Eduardo Rojas, Jr. in 2011

Daniel P. Cox and Edgardo Acosta-Feliciano both fell on July 31, 2021.  However, their causes of death were not related.