This Week in USBP History, Vol. 57

October 2 - October 8

USBP Achievement Medal

Good morning!
 
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!  
 
I'm going to start out by comparing the ease of purchasing military awards and insignia to the great difficulty of a current or former USBP employee obtaining an extra/replacement Border Patrol award or device...
 
Military Insignia and Awards
Would you like to purchase a Navy Seal Trident?  If you wish, you can purchase one from  Vanguard for $13.70.  

What about a Navy Cross medal?  You can purchase one of those from Medals of America for $81.99.  

What about a Silver Star medal?  Go to USA Military Medals with $40.39 and it's yours.  
Any military member, veteran or collector is able to purchase any military insignia and/or award, from multiple venders nearly without restriction*.
*18 USC 704 regulates military medals and decorations.
 
USBP Insignia and Awards
What about active USBP employees and retirees...  Where are they able to purchase replacement or extra insignia or USBP Honorary Awards?  Where would someone obtain a USBP Peer Support device, BORTAC device, USBP Commendation Medal, etc...?  The short answer is no USBP device or award is available for purchase by any recipient, active USBP employee, retiree or collector.
 
What if I were to tell you I have a plan that would support the current and former workforce, collectors and the Border Patrol Museum in a win-win-win manner?
 
A Plan of Action
Here it goes - First, a CBP policy document would have to be created so that CBP/USBP would enter into official relationships with the Border Patrol Museum and Border Patrol Morale, Welfare and Recreation (BP MW&R) non-profit organizations following the model of the FBI’s relationship with the FBI Recreation Association (FBIRA).

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) have created official relationships with non-profit organizations under 5 CFR Part 251. 
• The FBI’s relationship with the FBI Recreation Association (FBIRA) is governed by this policy document.  An overview is provided below:
  • The FBIRA has 58 chapters.
  • FBIRA Chapter 1 has been provided GOV space by the FBI in the Hoover Building in Washington DC.
  • Only FBIRA Chapter 1 has received official authorization to produce/sell items with the FBI badge on them and official seals.  All other FBIRA chapters are required to purchase the aforementioned items from Chapter 1.
  • All FBIRA chapters are required to be managed by a board of at least three FBI employees or face the loss of official recognition.
  • All FBIRA chapters are required to maintain high levels of ethical behavior and accountability or face the loss of official recognition.
• The USBP could emulate the FBI approach by entering into a relationship with the Border Patrol Museum and BP MW&R organizations.  Generally, the approach could mandate that BP MW&R organizations be considered chapters of the Border Patrol Museum and require that they purchase USBP branded items from the Border Patrol Museum.  This approach, following the FBI model under 5 CFR Part 251 would be a mutually beneficial relationship the USBP, the workforce and the non-profit organizations. 

 
Concerning USBP Honorary Awards and USBP Authorized Devices, it is nearly impossible for an employee or a retiree to obtain an extra set of one of their awards or devices.  It would be very easy for the USBP to authorize the BP Museum to have those items manufactured for sale.  It would be great for the workforce and a source of revenue for the Museum. Win / Win
 
The approach is simple:

1. A CBP/USBP document is created following the FBI by which the BP Museum becomes Chapter #1 of all USBP MW&R Associations.  All USBP MW&R's are mandated to purchase USBP branded items from the BP Museum.  Only the BP Museum is authorized to have USBP branded items manufactured.
2. To create USBP Honorary Awards and some of the USBP Authorized devices, the BP Museum would use a U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) certified vender to which the TIOH would ship the award and device dies. The vender would manufacture the awards/devices to the exact standards in the TIOH spec sheets.  
   • Note - before I retired, I requested that the USBP Commendation spec sheet to be modified to be a four-piece award set. As of this writing it is still listed as a three-piece.  Ensure that the vender knows that a lapel pin must be included. Find spec sheets by search for “Border Patrol” in the Find Term field in this website -  https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsSearch.aspx
3. Each award has multiple spec sheets:
   • Decoration
   • Ribbon
   • Lapel Button

 
I recommend that USBP awards and devices be sold without restrictions, to the entire public.  
 
Let me establish some baselines on the unrestricted sale subject.  All military awards are defined in law, regulation, or Executive Orders. For the military, only awards that are defined in similar documents can be worn on a military uniform.  With the exception of the Medals of Honor, any person can buy and possess any military decoration.  With those facts in mind, no USBP award is authorized for wear on any military uniform because our awards, although designed by the Institute of Heraldry (TIOH), are only defined in a lower-level policy signed by an SES.  USBP awards are not defined in law, regulation, or Executive Orders. USBP Honorary Awards lack that level of legitimacy or bureaucratic prestige. 
 
Any person can buy and possess nearly any military decoration or device, but a USBP employee or retiree must jump through undefined hoops to get a replacement/extra medal set or authorized device.  
 
As a real-world example, a Newton-Azrak Award recipient contacted me about obtaining a medal set since he received his award before they were issued.  I put him in contact with the correct USBP HQ division who promptly denied his request.  On the recipient's behalf, I emailed the highest levels of Border Patrol headquarters until, almost three months later, the recipient received a Newton-Azrak Award Medal set from HQ.
 
It should not be difficult for a recipient to receive a replacement/extra award set.  A retiree should not have to persistently contact high-ranking USBP executives because a division of HQ failed to take care of the workforce or retirees.
 
If the BP Museum received authorization to sell all USBP awards and authorized devices, it would make it easy for employees and retirees to get replacement/extra sets.  If a collector wishes to purchase them, it would equate to additional revenue for the Museum.
 
Here's an example. A USBP Achievement Medal set costs @ $15-$20 to manufacture.  The Border Patrol Museum would have no problem selling them for $75.  Similar profit margins could be applied to every USBP award and USBP device.
 
Awards and devices would be available for purchase and the BP Museum would have several new streams of profitability.
 
Win Win Win
 
Now to the blog!
 
This week starts with a great correction and addition in the Housekeeping section.  I actually do get excited to be corrected so that I may present the best USBP history available.
 
There are documents that pre-date the USBP, the Patrol's first job announcement, and a gunfight in El Paso and in Campo.  There is a fencing estimate from 1953, and the 35th anniversary of the Patrol's newest sector.
 
We remember three Newton-Azrak Award recipients on the anniversaries of their actions.
 
We also remember the loss of five of our fallen, including two that fell in the same event.  Friedrich Karl and John S. Blue fell due in the same incident in 1973.  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.
 
Enjoy the blog and 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 send them to cliff@honorfirst.com).
• 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.

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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

1918

• On October 6, 1918, the Commissioner-General sent telegrams to Seattle and El Paso immigration officials requesting their insight of placing a "regular patrol" in their areas to enforce the "Passport-Permit Regulations" and to "aid in the enforcement of other distinctly wartime measures."

1922

• In 1918, the future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), submitted no less than three proposals to create the Border Patrol.  These proposals led to the creation of an Inter-Departmental Committee comprised of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Justice, Labor and Treasury.  After months of meetings and discussions, on October 4, 1922, the Inter-Departmental Committee recommended the creation of the Border Patrol.

1924

• The earliest know Border Patrol announcement is from October 7, 1924.  Points of interest:
  
  • No requirements for the applicant to provide their own horse or firearm.
    
  • Women could apply
    
  • Required experience (condensed and paraphrased)
    
    • 2 years as a federal, state or local law enforcement officer, or
      
    • 6 months in the military, or
      
    • 6 months experience in a prestigious law enforcement organization such as the Texas Rangers, Pennsylvania State Constabulary, New York State Constabulary, or the Royal Northwest Mounted Police
      
  • ​Must be able to speak and read Spanish is assigned to the Mexican border
    
  • Must be 5'7" tall
    
  • Must be between 23-45 years old

1927

• The position that would become Chief of the Border Patrol was created in 1926 with Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) being the Chief for the Northern Border and George Harris (1876-1941)  Chief of the Southern Border.  By 1927, Harris was transferred leaving Davenport the sole Chief of the Border Patrol until 1932.  In 1927, Davenport surveyed the entire Border Patrol and on October 5, 1927, submitted this report to the Commissioner-General of the Bureau of Immigration on his findings.  A few quotes stand out in the report:
  
  • From a somewhat doubtful and hesitant force it has developed into one now sure of its ground, convinced of its necessity and positive in its action.
    
  • This weeding out process has had the effect of educating the public, generally speaking, to the fact that this Service does not tolerate triflers or grafters within its ranks.
    
  • Perhaps the most important of these changes is the discontinuance of openly wearing side-arms or handcuffs on the belt during the day, particularly in cities, villages, or thickly settled rural communities.  It is found that this practice has caused considerable adverse criticism and seems entirely unnecessary.
• On October 8, 1927, Chief Patrol Inspector of the El Paso Sub-district and future Chief of the Border Patrol (1948-1950) Nicolas Donald Collaer (1896-1977) (photo), wrote memo to the El Paso District Director concerning confusion pertaining to Border Patrol uniforms being manufactured by several companies.

1928

• Border Patrol Inspectors assigned to the El Paso sub-district were commonly in gunfights in the late 1920's and early 1930's.  Joe Banco writes of one:
  
  • One of the most notorious gun battles occurred on October 3, 1928, in the outskirts of San Elizario, southeast of El Paso, which resulted in the death of one liquor smuggler, wounding of six others and seizure of 44 1⁄2 gallons of liquor. The El Paso Herald headline read “Border Patrol and Rum Runner Turn Old River Bed Into Battle Field.” It was reported that the firefight began in the early pitch-dark morning when Border Patrol Inspectors attempted to intercept twelve smugglers as they were crossing the border with an illicit liquor load on horses. The seven Patrol Inspectors were concealed in the brush and “laying in” in three separate groups about thirty feet apart. Upon being challenged by the Patrol Inspectors, the smugglers immediately started shooting into the brush with rifles, shotguns, and pistols. The Herald reported that, “A hat of one of the officers was shot from his head. Dirt was thrown over them. Lead literally rained around them. Then they swung into action with their rifles at close range.” The outgunned Patrol Inspectors returned fire and two of the smugglers fell.
    
    • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco

1934

• On October 8, 1934, Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962), wrote a congratulatory note to Jacksonville District Border Patrol Inspectors that had participated in the Florida Police Pistol League competition that occurred in Tampa. Border Patrol participants were
  
  • Chief Patrol Inspector Chester C. Courtney (1890-1969)
    
  • Senior Patrol Inspector John Q. Gillis (1899-1967)
    
  • Patrol Inspector Carl H. Ray (1892-1973)
    
  • Patrol Inspector Joseph B. Cunningham (1904-1976)
    
  • Patrol Inspector James Edward Drake (1902-1969)
    
  • Patrol Inspector Edwin M. Redmond (1901-1968)

1942

• On October 6, 1942, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) wrote a memo on behalf of the Commissioner to the Warden of the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.  The memo contained, "...the names and addresses of the district and subdistrict offices of the United States Immigration Border Patrol."  The memo also contains a disclaimer - "Each subdistrict has a number of stations infer its jurisdiction but, as these are changing constantly, all communications should be addressed to the District Directors or Chief Patrol Inspectors."

1953

• On October 5, 1953, the Army Corps of Engineers submitted estimates to the Commissioner to build fencing between Texas and Mexico, and California and Mexico.  The design of the fence is described:
  
  • The fence was to consist of two 8-foot high barbed wire fences spaced 8 feet apart, utilizing steel poles space 10 feet apart and having barbed wire spaced 8 inches apart. In addition, a roll of concertina wire was to be placed on the more southerly fence and three roll place between the two fences.

1963

• During the early 1960s, one of the Beaver aircraft was also assigned to the Northeast and mainly flew out of Swanton and Houlton Sectors. The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was based out of Burlington, Vermont, and was equipped with floats. Retired Patrol Inspector Gordon Dilmore shared a story of an <October 8, 1963> incident where the Beaver was almost involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force fighter that was in trouble. The assistance provided to the pilot after the aircraft crashed was credited with saving the pilot’s life.
  
  • ​​​From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

1969

• Another incident that occurred during Operation Intercept was the defection of a Cuban pilot in a fully-armed MIG-17 at Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida on October 5, 1969. Retired Patrol Inspector James Montgomery recalls his participation in the incident;
  
  • During that operation my wife was late in her pregnancy, so I was the only PI left in Miami. Congress had cut funding to the airborne radar around Southern Florida. President Nixon was at Key Biscayne. Late one night as he prepared to return to Washington, Air Force One was at Homestead Air Force base waiting to take him to Washington. A Cuban MIG came in at treetop level and landed next to Air Force One. The station senior Bill Purdy told me over the radio to go interview the pilot. After some discussion, we decided the chance I would be allowed to interview the pilot was slim or none. As it turned out the pilot had worked with the CIA to defect in the fully-armed MIG. Congress soon restored the funding for the airborne radar.
    
    • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

1973

• ...On October 2, 1973, when Campo Agents encountered ten individuals smuggling sacks of marijuana. The Patrol Agents cut sign to the pick-up vehicle loaded with an additional 422 pounds of marijuana and arrested the drivers. During the attempt to cut off the remaining smugglers, Patrol Agent Norman Barry was shot and a gunfight ensued, leaving three smugglers dead. Two additional smugglers were arrested by Mexican authorities as they crossed back into Mexico.
  
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco

1987

• October 5, 1987, Ramey Sector was dedicated.

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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

1991

Howard H. Gay
(1945-1990)
Border Patrol Pilot
Marfa Sector
Posthumously Awarded 
On October 3, 1990, while driving to work in the morning thick fog, Border Patrol Pilot Howard H. Gay noticed a stranded motorist on the highway.  Realizing the danger, Mr. Gay attempted to turn around to render assistance when he was struck and killed by an on-coming vehicle.  He will be remembered as a person always willing to help others in distress.

• Author's note - Why isn't this Newton-Azrak Award recipient not included among the honored fallen on the CBP Valor Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Officer's memorial?

 

1994

Jose (Joe) L. Perez
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent 
San Diego Sector
On the night of October 3, 1994, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Jose (Joe) L. Perez was performing his patrol duties in the Dulzura, CA area on Highway 94.  Highway 94 runs east and west adjacent to the International Border between the United States and Mexico.  While performing his patrol duties, Agent Perez came upon a one-car vehicle accident.  Being the first law enforcement officer on the scene, Agent Perez took those steps necessary to notify the proper agencies through the Border Patrol Dispatch, and then took additional steps well above the call of duty.
 
Agent Perez observed that there were three occupants trapped inside a vehicle that was overturned and resting on its roof.  As Agent Perez approached the vehicle, he observed that the doors were jammed shut.  Agent Perez used what leverage he could and managed to open one front door.  Through this door, Agent Perez was able to remove the driver and the front seat passenger.  He placed both of them out of the flow of traffic and returned to the car.  Agent Perez then observed that the vehicle was on fire and that there was still one occupant trapped inside the vehicle.  Agent Perez reentered the vehicle and doubled his efforts to free the remaining passenger.  The last passenger was trapped between the collapsed roof of the vehicle and the rear seat with her legs hanging through the shattered rear window.  Using brute strength, Agent Perez was able to force the seat to move sufficiently to allow him to extricate the passenger.  Although the vehicle was on fire, Agent Perez took the time to ensure that any possible spinal or neck injuries were cared for before moving the passenger to a safe location.  Agent Perez continued performing immediate first aid until the arrival of the paramedics and fire units.
 

2021

​Robert S. Holmes - ​photo
Border Patrol Agent
Grand Forks, ND
On October 3, 2020 at 9:00 PM, Bottineau Station Border Patrol Agent Robert Holmes assisted local law enforcement with a call regarding a suicidal man who was on top of a 144-foot structure. Beyond the call of duty while facing grave danger, Agent Holmes went to the top of the structure to search for the man. Upon reaching the top, Agent Holmes began searching the massive area which was riddled with shafts, pipes and other industrial hazards. Under the cover of night, Agent Holmes was able to locate the man, who was armed with a knife, near the edge of a grain elevator. Agent Holmes began a tactful conversation with the man and ultimately talked him into storing the knife in his pocket and moving away from the edge to safety. Agent Holmes’ actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.

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USBP Fallen

As of May 16, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 152* fallen.
Titles:

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 100 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 - He is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. He is remembered by all except his own agency with his name is inscribed on the:
  • National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see this link),
  • Officer Down memorial Page (see this link), and
  • Texas Peace Officer's Memorial (see this link).

1973

Friedrich Karl
Date of Birth:                July 15, 1923
Entered on Duty:          May 2, 1955
Title:                             Airplane Pilot
End of Watch:              October 4, 1973
 
Details:
Both Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl and his observer, Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue, were stationed at Yuma, Arizona, when they were killed in an airplane crash.

The officers were on a sign cutting and aircraft patrol assignment, having departed from the Yuma County Airport at approximately 6:00 a.m., on October 4, 1973. The flight also served to acquaint Senior Patrol Agent Blue with portions of the Yuma Sector since he had transferred there a short time before.  After some five hours of flight, the officers landed at the Stoker Company Airport at Tacna, Arizona, for a rest stop and to communicate with units from the Tacna Station relative to patrol plans and operations.

At approximately 12:00 noon, shortly after take-off from Tacna, the airplane struck a static line near the top of 52-foot poles of the Wellton Irrigation District power line. Contact of the landing gear with the static line caused the plane to flip, invert, and fall to the ground in an upside-down position.  Both of the officers were killed instantly upon impact.

Cremated
 

John S. Blue
Date of Birth:                April 6, 1935
Entered on Duty:          November 23, 1960
Title:                             Senior Patrol Agent
End of Watch:              October 4, 1973
 
Details:
Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue was stationed at Yuma, Arizona, where, while serving as an observer, he was killed in the crash of a Border Patrol airplane being flown by Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl, also of Yuma.  The officers were on a sign cutting and aircraft patrol assignment, having departed from the Yuma County Airport at approximately 6:00 a.m., on October 4, 1973. The flight also served to acquaint Senior Patrol Agent Blue with portions of the Yuma Sector since he had transferred there a short time before.
 
After some five hours of flight, the officers landed at the Stoker Company Airport at Tacna, Arizona, for a rest stop and to communicate with units from the Tacna Station relative to patrol plans and operations.  At approximately 12:00 noon, shortly after take-off from Tacna, the airplane struck a static line near the top of 52-foot poles of the Wellton Irrigation District power line. Contact of the landing gear with the static line caused the plane to flip, invert, and fall to the ground in an upside-down position.  Both of the officers were killed instantly upon impact.

Burial Details Unknown
 

2012

Nicholas J. Ivie
Date of Birth                 October 13, 1981
Entered on Duty:          January 3, 2008
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:               October 2, 2012
 
Details:
On October 2, 2012, Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie, of the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station was mortally wounded in the line of duty. Agent Ivie and separate group of two Border Patrol Agents were responding to a sensor activation in a remote area near Bisbee, Arizona.  Agent Ivie and one of the other Border Patrol Agents mistook the other in the darkness as an armed threat.  They engaged each other, unknowingly in a friendly versus friendly gunfight.  Both agents were injured by gunfire, with Agent Ivie suffering a fatal wound.
 
Agent Ivie entered on duty as a member of the 733rd academy session on January 3, 2008.  Agent Ivie was 30 years old at the time of his death and leaves behind a wife, two daughters, his parents and four siblings.

​Gravesite​
 

2019

Robert M. Hotten
Date of Birth:                September 24, 1975 
Entered on Duty:          September 10, 2009 
Title:                              Border Patrol Agent 
End of Watch:               October 6, 2019 
 
Details: 
On October 6, 2019, BPA Robert M. Hotten was investigating potential illegal cross-border activity in extremely rugged terrain near Patagonia, Arizona.  After he failed to respond to radio calls, fellow agents responded to his last known location and found him unresponsive.  Agent Hotten was airlifted to a hospital in Nogales, Arizona where he was later pronounced deceased. 
 
Agent Hotten entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on September 10, 2009, as a member of the 910th session of the Border Patrol Academy.  He was assigned to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation.  Agent Hotten served with the United States Border Patrol for over 10 years.
 
Burial Details Unknown
 

2021

David H. Gray
Entered on Duty:           March 21, 2016
Title:                              Enforcement Analysis Specialist
End of Watch:               October 8, 2021

Details:
EAS Gray entered on duty on March 21, 2016. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Sector Intelligence Unit in Houlton Sector, Maine.  Before joining the U.S. Border Patrol, EAS Grey honorably served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. 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. He is survived by his son, Harris; daughter, Marsilla; mother: Velva; and sister, Sandra.

Gravesite