This Week in USBP History, Vol. 36

May 8 - May 14

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!  
 
There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries this week.  But, I am highlighting five recipients from 1984 whose dates of action are unknown or whose actions spanned a timeframe. I should also mention that a Newton-Azrak Award recipient, George E. Evancheck (award statuette, notification letter), had somehow been omitted from any lists and was at risk of being forgotten.  I have added him to the the HonorFirst Newton-Azrak Award page and will add more information once its found.
 
Also, among the anniversaries of the fallen are Hector R. Clark and Eduardo Rojas, Jr. who fell due to the same incident in 2011.  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.
 
Have a great week!
 
Cliff
 
PS - 

• As an open and continuous invitation to current and former USBP employees, I am always accepting photos to post in the USBP Photo Galleries and in the Upholding Honor First pages.  I sure would appreciate you visiting those pages and sending me anything that you think I could post (just attach them to a reply to this email).
• As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to documents and pages.
  
• Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it.
• I also send out a weekly This Week in USBP History ​email.  If you'd like to be added to the list, email me at Cliff@honorfirst.com.

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Housekeeping
​
This is the section where I correct the mistakes from my last email.  I will also use this section to provide other perspectives of USBP history.
 
I didn't find any errors of significance from last week.

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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 employee 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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Documents/Events
 
1914

• On May 14, 1914, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General recommending against expanding the duties of Junior Inspectors, a position that had been announced in 1913​.
  
  • In 1924, Border Patrol Inspectors had no immigration authority.  By law, authority rested with employees who had the title "Immigrant Inspector" who were paid more than Border Patrol Inspectors.  In order that Border Patrol Inspectors might receive legal authority without being paid more, the Commissioner-General wrote a proposal to the Second Assistant Secretary of the Department a Labor requesting to resurrect a plan that was used in 1913 for Mounted Watchmen, and to rename Border Patrol Inspectors, Junior Immigrant Inspectors. See this document.

1924

• On May 13, 1924, the San Antonio District sent a detailed memo to the Central Office in response to an April 30, 1924 request.  The San Antonio District memo described, in detail, the locations to which the "additional guards" would be assigned.  The San Antonio District included modern-day Del Rio, Laredo and Rio grande Valley Sectors.
  
  • On April 30, 1924, the Action Commissioner-General sent a memo to the 11 immigration districts that were adjacent to the borders of the United States.  The memo indicated that funding was expected to be approved in the amount "...to effectively put a stop to all smuggling operations along the land boundaries..."  The memo instructed to the district heads to respond by telegram with the number of "guards or patrolmen" each district wished to receive.  They were instructed to follow the telegram with a written, more detailed response.  The memo also contains the telegram responses.
    
    • Interestingly, once created and until 1941, the Border Patrol had more inspectors assigned to the northern border than to the southern border.  This occurred even though the southern border had requested staffing levels three times greater than that of the northern border. some my say that a greater number of inspectors were placed on the northern border in response to the ratification of the 18th Amendment and the passage of the Volstead Act, Prohibition. Further, many sources cite that the Border Patrol was created in response to Prohibition.  However, no official Immigration Service documents have been discovered in the National Archives that support that popular claim.
      
    • When I was conducting research at the National Archives, I assumed that there must have been a plan in existence to implement once funding was received to create the USBP.  The memo above and the corresponding telegrams clearly demonstrate that no such plan existed a mere three weeks before funding would be received.

1925

• On May 14, 1925, the "Chief, Accounts and Personnel Division" wrote a high-level memo concerning the operating costs and strength of the Border Patrol by position.

1928

• On May 8, 1928, George Harris (1976-1941), wrote a letter concerning H.R. 11755​ which was introduced on March 5, 1928 and would have had the USBP be a separate agency under the Department of Labor. 
  
  • George Harris would be one of the first two Chiefs of the Border Patrol (called Supervisor, Border Patrol) in 1926 with the implementation of General Order 61​.  In 1927, he would be reassigned to other positions leaving Ruel Davenport to be the sole Chief of the Border Patrol.  In 1932, Harris would return as the Chief of the Border Patrol (called Director at that time) and be the only person to serve nonconsecutive terms in the position.

1931

• On May 14, 1931, Commissioner-General received a letter​ from the Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association.  The  letter concerned Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel Davenport's interest in having personal participate in a shooting match that occurred annual at Camp Perry in Ohio.
  
  • Marking the birth of the USBP National Pistol Team, the Border Patrol participated in a 1934 match at Camp Perry.  See this page for more information.
    
  • The letterhead of the NRA's response identifies it headquarters as the Barr Building which is located about a block away from CBP's H Street Building.

1934

• On May 10, 1934, El Paso District Director Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951) sent a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning the two Border Patrol Inspectors placing in a shooting competition. Senior Patrol Inspector George W. Parker, Jr. (1908-1984) was "declared state champion at the rifle and pistol matches held a Fort Huachuca under the auspices of the Arizona State rifle Association".  Famed Patrol Inspector Charles Askins (1907-1999) won the police pistol match and it was suspected that his perfect score may have been a new record.  In closing, Wilmoth boasted:
  
  • Considerable interest is being displayed by officers in this district in competitive shooting and it will be noted that we have in our ranks at least two of the foremost shots in this section - if not in the United States.

1939

• On May 8, 1939, the Buffalo District sent a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning lost badges.  
  
  • The memo was in response to a January 18, 1939,  Central Office issued memo mandating that all badges and cap insignia be inventoried. 

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Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries​
 
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​

There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries for the week.  However, there are many actions for which the date is unknown.  I will highlight some of those below.  In 1984, five people were presented Newton-Azrak Awards and their dates of action are not known. 
 

1984
​
Mark Cangemi
Investigator 
Chicago, Illinois
Investigator Mark Cangemi was recognized for a successful undercover operation resulting in the break-up of two major smuggling rings operating in the U.S., which moved more than 175 aliens per month, and grossed over $700 thousand monthly.  Cangemi, at risk to himself, worked undercover as a transporter for a major smuggling organization operating out of Chicago from July 1983 to May 1984.  He transported illegal aliens, had numerous contacts with organization members, including the Mexican connection, and met other members who were involved in the sale of narcotics, firearms, and counterfeit documents.   As a result of this extremely dangerous assignment, the Service was able to uncover the widespread movement of hundreds of Yugoslavian aliens into the U.S. through Mexico from Europe.
 
Oscar H. Garza Jr.
Investigator
Laredo, Texas
Stephan A. Peregoy
Investigator
Laredo, Texas
Investigator Oscar H. Garza Jr. and Investigator Stephan A. Peregoy were recognized for their unusual courage in a life-threatening situation involving investigation of a violence-oriented alien smuggling organization named “Las Tejas.”  The investigation resulted in the arrests of over 100 organizational principals, apprehension of 2,000 aliens, and the seizure of 85 vehicles.  Additionally, the Government of Mexico agreed to prosecute the organization head, who was continuing to direct the operation from the sanctuary of Mexico.
 
John A. Kalabus
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
Border Patrol Agent John A. Kalabus was recognized for saving a potential drowning victim from the Colorado River. While patrolling along the Mexican Border, Kalabus encountered two illegal aliens, one of whom jumped into the river attempting to return to Mexico.   He was caught in a whirlpool and unable to get free.  Without thought to his own safety, Kalabus swam to the alien and after several efforts, was successful in breaking the alien and himself free from the strong undertow and returning safely to shore.
 
Michael A. Lewis
Border Patrol Agent
Livermore Sector
Border Patrol Agent Michael A. Lewis was recognized for his courageous actions in saving three aliens from possible drowning.  During a farm and ranch check, a number of illegal alien workers began fleeing when Lewis spotted three who had jumped in a nearby 16-foot deep canal.  Two of the aliens were able to reach the other side but the third was floundering helplessly in the middle of the canal.  Lewis, at risk to his own life, jumped into the water and upon reaching the panic-stricken alien, was able to gain control and pull him to safety.  He then proceeded to assist the other two individuals, who were still in the canal, by swimming to them with a lifeline and pulling them to safety.

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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.

 
 
1919
 
Charles L. Hopkins
Date of Birth:                    February 23, 1881
Entered on Duty:               December 24, 1912
Title:                                  Mounted Watchman
End of Watch:                   May 8, 1919
Details:
On May 8, 1919, at 10:15 p.m., Mounted Watchman Charles Lloyd Hopkins was shot by smugglers on the banks of the Rio Grande River, near Laredo, Texas. He died three hours later in Mercy Hospital, Laredo. Reportedly, the shot that killed Mounted Watchman Hopkins was the first one fired in a general gun battle between smugglers and federal officers in which a United States Public Health Service Guard, Ira Hill, and several of the Mexican smugglers were also killed.
 
 
1967
 
Richard A. Lugo
Date of Birth:                August 14, 1935
Entered on Duty:          July 18, 1966
Title:                              Patrol Inspector (Trainee)
End of Watch:               May 14, 1967
Details:
On May 14, 1967, Patrol Inspectors (Trainee) Richard A. Lugo and Bruce A. Plaskett were assigned to maintain sign cutting drag strips and to deliver tire drags to selected sites. They were enroute from their official station, Yuma, Arizona, to Andrade, California, traveling north on Levee Road at approximately 40 miles per hour. Without advance indication that anything was wrong, the right rear tire of the 1966 International Scout suddenly deflated, causing the rear end of the vehicle to swerve radically. Trainee Lugo lost control of the vehicle, which skidded and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on its left side with the top crushed in almost to the level of the body. Trainee Lugo was killed instantly, his head having been crushed when the vehicle overturned.
 
 
1995
 
Xavier G. Magdaleno
Date of Birth:                September 9, 1950
Entered on Duty:          September 15, 1980
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:               May 10, 1995
 
Details:
On May 10, 1989, Border Patrol Agent Xavier G. Magdaleno and his partner were driving their vehicle alongside the railroad tracks in an area of the El Paso Sector known as the “slag pits.” 
 
The agents were driving east between the slag piles and outbound tracks. A train was coming toward them on these tracks. Once clear of the slag piles, Agent Magdaleno tried to execute a 180-degree turn. The wheels of the vehicle began to slide in the soft slag. The vehicle would not respond to the steering wheel; instead, it plowed forward, alongside the incoming tracks. The agents did not see the incoming train because of the slag piles and the curve of the track until it was about 75 yards from the vehicle. Agent Magdaleno put the vehicle into reverse in an attempt to get out of the train’s way. However, the train struck the vehicle on the passenger side and threw the rear of the vehicle toward the track, striking it again.  On the initial impact, Agent Magdaleno’s partner was thrown out of the vehicle away from the train. The second impact threw Agent Magdaleno out of the vehicle, and it came to rest on top of him. He was pinned under the wreckage for 45 minutes. When freed, he was taken to R.E. Thomason General Hospital, where surgery was performed. He was paralyzed from the neck down, requiring ventilator assistance. He died from his injuries on May 10, 1995.  Agent Magdaleno was a graduate of the 139th session of the Border Patrol Academy and was assigned to the El Paso Station at the time of his death.
 
 
2007
 
Richard M. Goldstein
Date of Birth:                September 10, 1969
Entered on Duty:          March 25, 2002
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:               May 11, 2007
 
Details:
On May 11, 2007, Agent Richard M. Goldstein drowned in the Coachella Canal near Niland, California, east of the Salton Sea.  After he went missing, Agent Goldstein’s canine partner was found sitting alongside his vehicle, which was parked and idling near the canal. The Customs and Border Protection and California Highway Patrol Air divisions assisted several Border Patrol Agents in the search for the missing agent. A short time later, he was found drowned a few miles from his vehicle.
 
Agent Goldstein’s K-9 partner, Carlo, was wet, and markings in the area indicated the dog had been in the water and struggled to get out of the canal. Early reports indicated that Agent Goldstein entered the canal in order to rescue his K-9 partner.
 
Agent Goldstein was a five-year veteran of the Border Patrol and was assigned to the El Centro Sector’s Indio Station.
 
 
2011
 
Hector R. Clark
Date of Birth                 November 16, 1971
Entered on Duty:          August 20, 2001
Title:                             Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:              May 12, 2011
 
Details:
On the morning of May 12, 2011, Border Patrol Agent Hector R. Clark, and his partner Lead Border Patrol Agent Eduardo Rojas, Jr., were killed when a freight train struck their government vehicle. The accident occurred near the intersection of Interstate 8 and Paloma Road, approximately nine miles west of Gila Bend, Arizona. Agents Clark and Rojas were assisting other agents in pursuit of a group of suspected illegal aliens at the time of the accident.
 
Agent Clark, a native of the Yuma, Arizona community, began his career with the U.S. Border Patrol on August 20, 2001, as a member of the 481st Session of the Border Patrol Academy. Following his graduation, he was assigned to the El Centro Station in the El Centro Sector.  At the time of his death, he was assigned to the Yuma Station in the Yuma Sector.  Agent Clark was 39 years old and is survived by his wife and two children.
 
Eduardo Rojas, Jr.
Date of Birth                 October 14, 1976
Entered on Duty:          April 9, 2000
Title:                             Lead Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:              May 12, 2011
 
Details:
On the morning of May 12, 2011, Lead Border Patrol Agent Eduardo Rojas, Jr., and his partner Border Patrol Agent Hector R. Clark, were killed when a freight train struck their government vehicle. The accident occurred near the intersection of Interstate 8 and Paloma Road, approximately nine miles west of Gila Bend, Arizona. Agents Rojas and Clark were assisting other agents in pursuit of a group of suspected illegal aliens at the time of the accident.
 
Agent Rojas entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on April 9, 2000, as a member of the 432nd Session of the Border Patrol Academy. Upon graduating from the academy, he was assigned to the Yuma Station in the Yuma Sector. Agent Rojas was serving as a Lead Border Patrol Agent in the Yuma Sector at the time of his death. He was a native of El Paso, Texas, and a graduate of Irvin High School. Agent Rojas was 34 years old, and is survived by his wife and two children.
 
 
2021
 
Freddie Vasquez
Date of Birth:                June 28, 1977                              
Entered on Duty:          June 16, 2002
Title:                             Border Patrol Agent 
End of Watch:               May 8, 2021
 
Details: 
Agent Vasquez entered on duty on June 16, 2002, as part of the 515th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. 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.  At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the El Paso Station, El Paso Sector, Texas.  His line-of-duty death occurred on May 8, 2021.
  
He is survived by his wife: Inez; sons: Alexander, Christopher, and Abram; daughter: Samantha; parents: Jose and Maria Vasquez; and brothers: Jose and Frank Vasquez.