June 12 - June 18Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Another huge week for documents! Also, we remember the actions that led to three agents receiving Newton-Azrak Awards, one posthumously. And we remember the anniversaries of seven of our fallen... As you may have noticed, I have begun to list the the years of birth and death for each person that I mention by name. If a person's lifespan is not listed, I either could not find the information or it's listed earlier in the email (I'll only list the years the first time that I mention their name). I confirm the dates through Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com. I have a paid access to both sites. Among the anniversaries of the fallen this week are Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak who fell due to the same incident in 1967. Their memories hold a special meaning in USBP history. Their deaths are credited with:
Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak are memorialized with the USBP's highest award being named after them. Please see the HonorFirst Newton-Azrak Award page for information and links about their deaths, the award, and the recipients. As I've researched the deaths of Inspector Newton and Inspector Azrak, I was unable to locate any documents that showed that their deaths drove the changes in checkpoint manpower. The old Border Patrol Handbook, which is not authorized for public dissemination, mandates that checkpoints must be manned by a minimum of three Border Patrol Agents. I could not locate a document that showed their deaths drove those changes. If anyone has documents that link their deaths with those changes, please send them to me so I can present the best and most accurate USBP history possible. Anytime, there is an anniversary of two Agents/Inspectors being lost due to the same event, I will provide the following reminder. 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:
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 -
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 1922
On June 16, 1926, the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District, Henry R. Landis (1880-1950), wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General identifying the sub-districts, stations and Border Patrol personnel assigned to his district. this is one of the earliest and most complete rosters for the area. 1927
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
1996 Diego Gonzales Border Patrol Agent El Paso Sector On June 17, 1996, Border Patrol Agent Diego Gonzales was performing linewatch duties at the Franklin Headgates. At approximately 11:00 am, he patrolled his assigned area for any intrusion, and after having done so, positioned his vehicle to have a commanding view of his assignment. As he peered through his binoculars, BPA Gonzales heard what he described later as a scream or shout. He immediately responded in his vehicle to investigate and observed a subject frantically attempting to stay afloat and at the same time desperately looking for something to hang on to and avoid from being sucked into the Franklin Headgates that were approximately 25 yards away. BPA Gonzales immediately exited his vehicle having secured a life ring (flotation device) and there it out to the subject, thus managing to rescue him from the impending drowning. As he pulled him out of the concrete lined canal, the subject gasping for air was able to convey to BPA Gonzales that another individual had been sucked into the headgates. BPA Gonzales quickly called out on his hand held radio asking for assistance and notifying all concerned as to the situation at hand. As the other units arrived on the scene, he coordinated their efforts in attempting to locate and/or rescue the subject. Several minutes had transpired and agents were alerted by people on the Mexican side of the river of a subject being flushed out of the headgates and into the Rio Grande River. BPA Gonzales, without hesitation, handed SBPA Leandro M. Chavez his pistol belt and jumped into the river making his way to the subject who appeared unconscious. BPA Gonzales, along with the subject he had just rescued, managed to pull the subject to the Mexican side of the river and upon doing so, immediately commenced administering CPR. BPA Gonzales continued his efforts to revive the subject for approximately 15 minutes, at which time a Mexican EMS unit arrived and pronounced the subject dead at the scene. Due to BPA Gonzales’ attentiveness to both duty and the details of his work environment, his actions resulted in certain rescue of life from the treacherous waters of the Franklin Canal. Furthermore, he risked his own life in attempting to rescue the second individual. 1997 Stephen C. Starch Border Patrol Agent San Diego Sector Posthumously Awarded While performing assigned duties on Saturday, June 14, 1997, Border Patrol Agent Stephen C. Starch and Senior Patrol Agent Aric Curtis were patrolling the border area south of State Route 94 in the Dulzura, California area. During the mid-afternoon hours, the agents detected the foot tracks of what they believed to be a group of illegal entrant aliens traveling northbound across the Tecate Truck Trail in the immediate border area. Based upon their observations, both agents exited their Service vehicle and began following the tracks northbound on a trail, which leads into an area known as Cottonwood Canyon. Upon reaching Cottonwood Creek, agents noticed that the tracks that they had been following veered to the west and began climbing a very steep, rugged incline towards an area known as Little Tecate Peak. Agents Starch and Curtis continued to follow the tracks up the rugged mountainside, and as they approached Little Tecate Peak, they separated, each taking a different trail in an attempt to intercept the group of suspected undocumented aliens. During the next hour, Agent Curtis attempted to contact Agent Starch numerous times via Service radio, and became concerned when he received no response. Agent Curtis immediately contacted Supervisory Border Patrol Agents Wayne Rock and Brian Brown, who also attempted to contact Agent Starch to no avail. A ground search for Agent Starch began immediately, and air support from Border Patrol Air Operations, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and the San Diego Police Department was requested, but unavailable at the time. Air space in the greater San Diego area was severely restricted due to the departure of Air Force One from North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado. Within several minutes, U.S. Customs advised that they had received clearance from the U.S. Secret Service and would respond. A short time later, the U.S. Customs air unit “Lima 55” was in the area and assisting agents on the ground. At approximately 6:30 p.m., Agent Curtis discovered Agent Starch at the base of a cliff and advised other agents of his exact location. A medical helicopter from Mercy Air was requested and responded to the scene. When Agent Curtis reached Agent Starch, he discovered that he had sustained severe head trauma and was not breathing. He immediately administered CPR, and was assisted by agents who arrived just minutes later. A U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter, summoned by U.S. Customs, was also on the scene. Due to the remote and rough terrain, it was impossible for a higher medical authority to arrive at the immediate scene before dark. After nearly an hour of CPR, the attending EMT consulted with the Flight Doctor form Mercy Air by radio, and due to the severity of his injuries, the Physician pronounced Agent Starch dead at the scene. The U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter was able to extricate Agent Starch from the extremely rugged area with their winch and gurney. He was transported directly to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla. Agents from the El Cajon Station, the San Diego Sector Evidence Team, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit returned to the scene and determined, through careful investigation, that Agent Starch had in fact accidentally fallen approximately 150 feet and sustained fatal injuries. Further examination of the incident appeared to indicate that Agent Starch had fallen shortly after separating from Agent Curtis. Investigators further concluded that there was no indication of foul play. 1999 Christopher A. Ramnes Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector On June 17, 1999, at approximately 1:00 a.m., off-duty Border Patrol Agent Christopher A. Ramnes was driving home to retrieve his video camera to memorialize the birth of his first child when he observed a vehicle approaching an intersection at a high rate of speed. The driver failed to stop, continued through the intersection, and plunged into an irrigation canal. Without hesitation, BPA Ramnes ran to the canal and jumped into the water. He reached into the submerged vehicle, grabbed a hand, and pulled a young man to the surface, then placed him onto the canal bank. He returned to the submerged vehicle two more times and extracted two more young men. Agent Ramnes summoned emergency unity to the scene and continued to search for a fourth victim. Unfortunately, the fourth young man had been ejected from the vehicle and was later recovered a few feet from the vehicle. 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.
1961 Kenneth L. Carl Date of Birth: September 5, 1926 Entered on Duty: August 17, 1953 Title: Airplane Pilot End of Watch: June 18, 1961 Details: During the hours after midnight on Saturday, June 17, 1961, several jeep teams composed of Patrol Inspectors from Calexico, California, tracked two illegal aliens to an alfalfa field near El Centro, California. Personnel of the jeep patrol encircled the field and prevented possible egress of the aliens. At dawn on June 18, 1961, officers at the scene initiated a radio message to Sector for aerial patrol assistance in spotting the aliens. Pilot Kenneth L. Carl was airborne at approximately 5:30 a.m. in a Piper Supercub. He immediately initiated low observation passes over the field. In a short time, one of the illegal aliens raised his head above the level of the alfalfa and was spotted by the pilot and ground units. When the first capture had been accomplished, the Patrol Inspectors ascertained the description, dress, and name of the second alien and radioed that information to Pilot Carl. The pilot was reported to have been flying at reduced air speed and very close to the ground, when the aircraft stalled and struck the ground. Pilot Carl was pronounced dead prior to being removed from the scene of the accident. It was later ascertained that his heart had been crushed within the rib cage on impact with the instrument panel. 1967 Theodore L. Newton, Jr. Date of Birth: July 30, 1941 Entered on Duty: April 11, 1966 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: June 17, 1967 Details: Patrol Inspector Theodore Lawrence Newton, Jr., and Patrol Inspector (Trainee) George Frederick Azrak were found murdered in a remote deserted mountain cabin on June 19, 1967, following an intensive 48-hour search after they disappeared while on official duty. The men were kidnapped from their post during a traffic check operation near Oak Grove, California, in the early morning hours of June 17, 1967. The officers failed to report in and a hurried search failed to reveal the whereabouts of the men and their two vehicles, a jeep and a Border Patrol sedan. The Service jeep was soon located about a mile from the checkpoint. On June 19, 1967, a member of a jeep club from Hemet, California, spotted the missing Service sedan. The sedan had been covered with brush fifty feet from the deserted shack, where the posse located the bodies of the missing patrolmen. In reconstructing the crimes, it now appears that Patrol Inspectors Newton and Azrak intercepted a vehicle with over 800 pounds of marijuana. While checking this vehicle, the officers were overpowered by four convicted felons, two of whom had been following the load of marijuana in a second vehicle. The officers were then taken to the mountain cabin where they were made to lie prone with their arms extended toward each other. The right wrist of one man was handcuffed to the left wrist of the other, and vice versa. While incapacitated in this manner they were shot and killed. Autopsies performed revealed Patrol Inspector Newton had been shot once in the head while three shots were fired into Patrol Inspector Azrak, two in the head and one in the chest. Their bodies bore no marks to indicate there had been a struggle. George F. Azrak Date of Birth: June 30, 1945 Entered on Duty: May 15, 1967 Title: Patrol Inspector (Trainee) End of Watch: June 17, 1967 Details: Patrol Inspector Theodore Lawrence Newton, Jr., and Patrol Inspector (Trainee) George Frederick Azrak were found murdered in a remote deserted mountain cabin on June 19, 1967, following an intensive 48-hour search after they disappeared while on official duty. The men were kidnapped from their post during a traffic check operation near Oak Grove, California, in the early morning hours of June 17, 1967. The officers failed to report in and a hurried search failed to reveal the whereabouts of the men and their two vehicles, a jeep and a Border Patrol sedan. The Service jeep was soon located about a mile from the checkpoint. On June 19, 1967, a member of a jeep club from Hemet, California, spotted the missing Service sedan. The sedan had been covered with brush fifty feet from the deserted shack, where the posse located the bodies of the missing patrolmen. In reconstructing the crimes, it now appears that Patrol Inspectors Newton and Azrak intercepted a vehicle with over 800 pounds of marijuana. While checking this vehicle, the officers were overpowered by four convicted felons, two of whom had been following the load of marijuana in a second vehicle. The officers were then taken to the mountain cabin where they were made to lie prone with their arms extended toward each other. The right wrist of one man was handcuffed to the left wrist of the other, and vice versa. While incapacitated in this manner they were shot and killed. Autopsies performed revealed Patrol Inspector Newton had been shot once in the head while three shots were fired into Patrol Inspector Azrak, two in the head and one in the chest. Their bodies bore no marks to indicate there had been a struggle. 1985 Lester L. Haynie Date of Birth: October 13, 1945 Entered on Duty: October 14, 1975 Title: Airplane Pilot Trainee End of Watch: June 14, 1985 Details: On the morning of June 14, 1985, Pilot Lester L. Haynie had been working with ground units 12 miles west of Yuma, Arizona. Having apprehended five aliens at Dunes Siding, Pilot Haynie radioed the ground units that he was flying to another siding. There were no witnesses to the crash that occurred at 7:51 a.m., reported at 8:18 a.m. by a Southern Pacific Railroad engineer. The Border Patrol plane was upside down under San Diego Power and Light cables in Imperial County, California, 100 yards north of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks near Dunes Siding, two miles west of Sidewinder Road. Investigation determined that Pilot Haynie had failed to gain altitude to clear the power lines. 1992 Louis D. Stahl Date of Birth: August 19, 1942 Entered on Duty: October 9, 1973 Title: Airplane Pilot End of Watch: June 13, 1992 Details: On June 13, 1992, Pilot Louis Stahl was reportedly tracking a group of illegal aliens near the railroad tracks in a mountainous area near Sunland Park, New Mexico. According to witnesses, the Hughes OH6A helicopter, piloted by Agent Stahl, dropped down and snagged a string of power lines, which hung approximately 300 feet above the tracks. The contact with the power lines tilted his aircraft to the right and into another set of utility lines. The helicopter was then thrown downward and it nose-dived into a nearby canyon, slamming upside down on the desert floor in a valley north of Mount Cristo Rey. The cockpit was demolished in the crash, and Agent Stahl was pinned underneath the wreckage. After seeing the crash, the subjects who were observed by the pilot, reportedly raced a half-mile east to go get help at the American Eagle Brick Company, where workers dialed 911. The workers then drove to the site and attempted to lift the smashed aircraft off the pilot. Shortly thereafter, firefighters, police, and Border Patrol Agents arrived at the scene to render aid. The downed pilot was pulled from the wreckage and was pronounced dead. His body was taken to Thomason General Hospital. 1997 Stephen C. Starch Date of Birth: January 3, 1972 Entered on Duty: November 13, 1995 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: June 14, 1997 Details: On June 14, 1997, Border Patrol Agent Stephen C. Starch and Senior Patrol Agent Aric Curtis were patrolling the border area south of State Route 94 in the Dulzura, California area. During the midafternoon hours, they found tracks of suspected illegal immigrants. Fully aware of terrain obstacles and even though their shift was almost over, Agents Starch and Curtis forged ahead, scaling the side of a mountain. Agent Starch separated from Agent Curtis to cover more territory. During the next hour, Agent Curtis tried numerous times to contact Agent Starch by radio but was unsuccessful. He contacted Supervisory Border Patrol Agents and a ground and air search for Agent Starch was started. Agent Curtis discovered Agent Starch at the base of a cliff. He had sustained severe injuries and was not breathing. Agent Curtis and others administered CPR. A medical helicopter from Mercy Air arrived at the scene, along with a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter. Because of the remoteness and the rough terrain, a higher medical authority could not arrive before dark. After nearly an hour of CPR, the attending Emergency Medical Technician consulted with the flight doctor from Mercy Air by radio and pronounced Agent Starch dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries. The next day, investigators determined that Agent Starch had accidentally fallen about 150 feet to this death. Agent Starch was a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Border Patrol Academy, Class 295. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the San Diego Sector, El Cajon Station, sign cut unit. 2020 Johan S. Mordan Date of Birth: May 26, 1994 Entered on Duty: July 8, 2019 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: June 12, 2020 Details: On the night of June 11, 2020, Border Patrol Agent Mordan was patrolling on foot in a remote area in the boot heel of New Mexico in the El Paso Sector. Agent Mordan’s partner lost radio contact with him. The Agent located him a short time later and found him unresponsive and without a pulse. His fellow agents worked to save his life for well over an hour before EMS arrived. Agent Mordan was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. There was no evidence to indicate foul play and his death appears to be the result of heat related illness. Agent Mordan entered on duty on July 8, 2019 as part of the 1127th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. He is survived by his parents and sister. |
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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
September 2023
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