Charlie Gigax's tombstone in the foreground with Jason Panides' tombstone in the background Good morning!
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!
It is not common knowledge that Acting Secretary John William Abercrombie (1866-1940), authorized the establishment of the Border Patrol on November 12, 1918. However, to me, this great anniversary is overshadowed by a continuing disservice to one of the Patrol's fallen, John Charles Gigax, "Charlie" (1972-1999). Let me describe the situation...
Charlie's is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol.
However, he is remembered by all except his own agency with his name being inscribed on the:
Here's a little background... Charlie was a Border Patrol Agent that was assigned to the Laredo North Station but was detailed to headquarters in Washington D.C. Charlie's family lived in Jacksonville, Florida. On Sunday, November 7, 1999, he was driving a government vehicle returning from a visit with them. At approximately 10 PM, he was involved in a fatal car accident while traveling north on I-95, near mile-marker 96 in the State of Virginia.
After Charlie's death, Laredo Chief Patrol Agent John W. Montoya initiated the paperwork to have Charlie's name inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. Following the examples of Border Patrol Agent (trainee) Thomas K. Byrd, and Border Patrol Agents Jesus De La Ossa and Thomas J. Williams, whose deaths were considered in the line of duty by the USBP, Chief Montoya listed Charlie's death as in the line of duty.
When Charlie was laid to rest in a cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, the Patrol had yet to develop an Honor Guard. There was very little if anything done for him and his family by way of a formal ceremony.
A year and a half after Charlie's death, another Laredo North agent who was also from Jacksonville, was killed in the line of duty, Jason Panides (1974-2001). By the time of Jason's death, the USBP had developed a robust Honor Guard with an incredible formal ceremony for honoring the fallen.
I was part of the Honor Guard that went to Jacksonville for Jason’s funeral in April of 2001. The Gigax family was there to support Jason's family.
After Jason's funeral, Charlie's father, Don Gigax (1950-2016) commented that a similar ceremony had never been conducted for his son. Further, we were surprised to find that Jason was buried only about 100’ from Charlie. See the full-sized photo, where Jason's tombstone can be seen in the background with Charlie's in front.
The Laredo Sector Honor Guard asked the Gigax family to wait until Jason's family had left the cemetery. Then the Laredo team reformed and conducted an impromptu ceremony for Charlie and his family include a flag folding, 21-gun salute, taps, and Amazing Grace by the sector pipe band.
In 2004, I was promoted to the Laredo North Station where a young agent with the name Gene Gigax had recently began his career. It turned out that he was Charlie's younger brother and was present at that impromptu ceremony in Jacksonville. It was incredible that he was assigned to the same station as his brother Charlie which was also Jason's station. I was Gene's supervisor for a year and he was a great agent!
Years later, Gene would leave the Patrol to work as a Customs and Border Protection Officer, and we happened to touch bases. During our conversation he shared that he was curious why everyone other than the Border Patrol recognized the death and loss of his brother. I could not provide an answer to him so I told him to contact AskHQ. AskHQ is a defunct, internal CBP mechanism by which questions could be asked and answered by headquarters. Below is Gene’s AskHQ submission from May 22, 2013 (OBP = Office of Border Patrol);
On June 14th HQ gave the final response which in part stated;
That is a substandard response to a family member to justify why Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is recognized as fallen by every organization except his own! Further, the distinction between "on duty" and "in the line of duty" deaths would not be defined until years after Charlies death.
I have the form that was submitted by Laredo Sector to the National Law Enforcement Memorial on August 28, 2001. John Charles Gigax’s death met the approval process of the National Law Enforcement Memorial. His death certificate is part of the packet. His cause of death after an autopsy was soot and smoke inhalation caused from an automobile accident. His cause of death is accidental (not suicide) and no substances (drug or alcohol) were found in his blood. Further, his death was labeled "line-of-duty" in many sources, including documents submitted by the USBP, a CBP webpage and even Congressional records.
In 2003, CBP published a webpage that stated in part:
A 2008 Congressional record states:
Every Police Week for 15 years, Don (1950-2016) and Margarita Gigax (Charlie's parents) would come to D.C. The Border Patrol never read their son’s name with the Patrol's other fallen which was painfully obvious to them. Even though all other survivor organizations gave full honors to their son, officially, the Patrol never did... And still doesn't...
Organizationally, the Border Patrol and the INS “turned on” the switch to memorialize Charlie by having his name put on the National Law Enforcement Memorial, and by referring to his death as “in the line of duty”. Charlie needs to be added to the Patrol's list of the fallen. Hopefully, this newsletter provides the kindling for the Patrol to right that decades-long wrong.
This week is a bit light on documents, but what we have is pretty significant! We see a 1918 document that authorized the establishment of the Patrol! We also see a 1924 photograph of El Paso Sub-district Border Patrol Inspectors introducing a prototype uniform a month before the police would be approved.
We do not have any Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries. However, I am highlighting retired Senior Patrol Agent Theo D. Hudson being presented the Newton-Azrak Award in 1992. Many times, the award is associated with acts of heroism and valor. However, 1973-2003 it could also be awarded for:
Thoe's award was given for his incredible law enforcement contributions. I have recently been in contact with him and his wife. I hope to be able to provide additional information in the coming weeks.
There is only one USBP Fallen anniversary this week, Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax, November 7, 1999.
Enjoy the blog and have a great week!
Cliff
PS -
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!
It is not common knowledge that Acting Secretary John William Abercrombie (1866-1940), authorized the establishment of the Border Patrol on November 12, 1918. However, to me, this great anniversary is overshadowed by a continuing disservice to one of the Patrol's fallen, John Charles Gigax, "Charlie" (1972-1999). Let me describe the situation...
Charlie's is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol.
However, he is remembered by all except his own agency with his name being 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).
Here's a little background... Charlie was a Border Patrol Agent that was assigned to the Laredo North Station but was detailed to headquarters in Washington D.C. Charlie's family lived in Jacksonville, Florida. On Sunday, November 7, 1999, he was driving a government vehicle returning from a visit with them. At approximately 10 PM, he was involved in a fatal car accident while traveling north on I-95, near mile-marker 96 in the State of Virginia.
After Charlie's death, Laredo Chief Patrol Agent John W. Montoya initiated the paperwork to have Charlie's name inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial. Following the examples of Border Patrol Agent (trainee) Thomas K. Byrd, and Border Patrol Agents Jesus De La Ossa and Thomas J. Williams, whose deaths were considered in the line of duty by the USBP, Chief Montoya listed Charlie's death as in the line of duty.
When Charlie was laid to rest in a cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, the Patrol had yet to develop an Honor Guard. There was very little if anything done for him and his family by way of a formal ceremony.
A year and a half after Charlie's death, another Laredo North agent who was also from Jacksonville, was killed in the line of duty, Jason Panides (1974-2001). By the time of Jason's death, the USBP had developed a robust Honor Guard with an incredible formal ceremony for honoring the fallen.
I was part of the Honor Guard that went to Jacksonville for Jason’s funeral in April of 2001. The Gigax family was there to support Jason's family.
After Jason's funeral, Charlie's father, Don Gigax (1950-2016) commented that a similar ceremony had never been conducted for his son. Further, we were surprised to find that Jason was buried only about 100’ from Charlie. See the full-sized photo, where Jason's tombstone can be seen in the background with Charlie's in front.
The Laredo Sector Honor Guard asked the Gigax family to wait until Jason's family had left the cemetery. Then the Laredo team reformed and conducted an impromptu ceremony for Charlie and his family include a flag folding, 21-gun salute, taps, and Amazing Grace by the sector pipe band.
In 2004, I was promoted to the Laredo North Station where a young agent with the name Gene Gigax had recently began his career. It turned out that he was Charlie's younger brother and was present at that impromptu ceremony in Jacksonville. It was incredible that he was assigned to the same station as his brother Charlie which was also Jason's station. I was Gene's supervisor for a year and he was a great agent!
Years later, Gene would leave the Patrol to work as a Customs and Border Protection Officer, and we happened to touch bases. During our conversation he shared that he was curious why everyone other than the Border Patrol recognized the death and loss of his brother. I could not provide an answer to him so I told him to contact AskHQ. AskHQ is a defunct, internal CBP mechanism by which questions could be asked and answered by headquarters. Below is Gene’s AskHQ submission from May 22, 2013 (OBP = Office of Border Patrol);
- My brother John Charles Gigax was killed in 1999 while traveling from a TDY assignment at OBP HQ in an official government vehicle. Why is it that the “Patrol” fails to recognize him on any CBP websites or memorials? His name is on the Police Memorial Wall in DC, the American Police Hall of Fame wall in Titusville, FL, and also on the Officer Down Memorial Web page. Every year for the last decade, my parents have attended Police Week, and every CBP Valor Memorial at the Ronald Reagan Building. For the last nine years that have sat in silence as my brother’s name is not read in the Roll Call. Why is it that the agency he worked for doesn’t honor him while others do?
On June 14th HQ gave the final response which in part stated;
- John’s accident occurred during his scheduled day off duty while on Detail out here to HQ. Since he was TDY he was “on duty” at the time of his passing yet he was not “in the line of duty.” As such, his death didn’t meet the Line of Duty Death criteria for being placed on the Border Patrol Agent Memorial. This decision is based on the official information that OBP has regarding your brother’s passing. If, however, you and your family have additional information you could provide that would possibly qualify John for the memorial, OBP will review this case.
That is a substandard response to a family member to justify why Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is recognized as fallen by every organization except his own! Further, the distinction between "on duty" and "in the line of duty" deaths would not be defined until years after Charlies death.
I have the form that was submitted by Laredo Sector to the National Law Enforcement Memorial on August 28, 2001. John Charles Gigax’s death met the approval process of the National Law Enforcement Memorial. His death certificate is part of the packet. His cause of death after an autopsy was soot and smoke inhalation caused from an automobile accident. His cause of death is accidental (not suicide) and no substances (drug or alcohol) were found in his blood. Further, his death was labeled "line-of-duty" in many sources, including documents submitted by the USBP, a CBP webpage and even Congressional records.
In 2003, CBP published a webpage that stated in part:
- Family members of the four Border Patrol Agents who lost their lives in the line of duty were present to view the gratitude of DHS senior leadership. Border Patrol Agents Roberto Javier Duran, Eloy Hernandez, Catherine M. Hill, and John C. Gigax will never be forgotten.
A 2008 Congressional record states:
- Sadly, on November 7, 1999, Mr. Gigax was killed in the line of duty.
Every Police Week for 15 years, Don (1950-2016) and Margarita Gigax (Charlie's parents) would come to D.C. The Border Patrol never read their son’s name with the Patrol's other fallen which was painfully obvious to them. Even though all other survivor organizations gave full honors to their son, officially, the Patrol never did... And still doesn't...
Organizationally, the Border Patrol and the INS “turned on” the switch to memorialize Charlie by having his name put on the National Law Enforcement Memorial, and by referring to his death as “in the line of duty”. Charlie needs to be added to the Patrol's list of the fallen. Hopefully, this newsletter provides the kindling for the Patrol to right that decades-long wrong.
This week is a bit light on documents, but what we have is pretty significant! We see a 1918 document that authorized the establishment of the Patrol! We also see a 1924 photograph of El Paso Sub-district Border Patrol Inspectors introducing a prototype uniform a month before the police would be approved.
We do not have any Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries. However, I am highlighting retired Senior Patrol Agent Theo D. Hudson being presented the Newton-Azrak Award in 1992. Many times, the award is associated with acts of heroism and valor. However, 1973-2003 it could also be awarded for:
- Outstanding accomplishments in special law enforcement programs;
- Outstanding performance, leadership, or innovation in Federal law enforcement;
- Exceptionally effective work with other law enforcement
Thoe's award was given for his incredible law enforcement contributions. I have recently been in contact with him and his wife. I hope to be able to provide additional information in the coming weeks.
There is only one USBP Fallen anniversary this week, Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax, November 7, 1999.
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.
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.
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.
Documents/Events
1918
1918
- On November 8, 1918, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) submitted his final proposal for the creation of the Border Patrol which was subsequently sent to the Department of Labor for approval. In this proposal, Berkshire was instructed to submit absolute minimums. He proposed a force of 264 Border Patrolmen for the southern border which would absorb all Mounted Watchmen.
- This proposal was approved by the Acting Secretary on November 12, 1918 (see the second page and the time stamps). However, implementation wouldn't occur until 1924 after several years of interdepartmental meetings and once funding was received (pg 240).
- On November 11th, 1924, a month prior to the issuance of General Order No. 42, the El Paso Border Patrol Sub-District participated in the City of El Paso’s Annual Armistice Day Parade in their new uniforms and riding on horses borrowed from the Seventh Cavalry at Fort Bliss. The U.S. Border Patrol’s participation in the parade was highlighted in many newspapers across the southern border and a few major cities across the country. The picture shown was posted in many of those publications highlighting the new U.S. Border Patrol.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
1931
- On December 1, 1913, Jeff Milton (1861-1947) was promoted/converted to an Immigration Inspector and reassigned to Fairbanks, Arizona. He remained in this position until officially transferred to Tombstone, Arizona, on November 10, 1931, where he retired on June 30, 1932 at the age 71. A few years earlier, when asked if Jeff Milton should continue working for the Immigration and Nationalization Service or be forced to retire, Assistant Commissioner General George J. Harris (1876-1941) stated,
- He is simply a wonder when it comes to physical endurance, activity, and value to the Service. All of his life he has been an outdoor man, a Texas Ranger, Chief of Police, Customs officer, etc. He is a fearless, active, resourceful man with a host of friends ever ready to give him information or otherwise assist him. He is invaluable to this Service, and barring unforeseen accidents or illnesses, is likely to continue so right up to the maximum age of 70.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
- He is simply a wonder when it comes to physical endurance, activity, and value to the Service. All of his life he has been an outdoor man, a Texas Ranger, Chief of Police, Customs officer, etc. He is a fearless, active, resourceful man with a host of friends ever ready to give him information or otherwise assist him. He is invaluable to this Service, and barring unforeseen accidents or illnesses, is likely to continue so right up to the maximum age of 70.
- On November 8, 1940, both the Grand Forks and Spokane Districts sent memorandums to the Central Office (INS HQ) requesting new construction for sub-district (sector) headquarters. The Grand Forks request included diagrams of the proposed facility. The Spokane District request was signed by the Chief Patrol Inspectors of the Bonners Ferry and Havre Sub-districts.
- On November 6, 1998, Chief of the Border Patrol Gustavo De La Vina (1939-2009) signed a memo providing clarity concerning the U.S. Border Patrol Uniform. the memo addressed items such as:
- The leather jacket,
- Wearing federal and civilian military awards,
- Service stars, and
- The proper wear of rank insignia.
- The leather jacket,
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries
Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
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 this week. However, numbers Newton-Azrak Award recipients do not have a date associated with their actions. Such is the case with Senior Patrol Agent Theo D. Hudson, who is highlighted this week.
I have recently been in contact with Theo and his wife. I hope to be able to enrich HonorFirst.com with documents and photographs better detailing his significant contributions to USBP history.
1992
Theo D. Hudson
Senior Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
Senior Patrol Agent Theo D. Hudson designed and developed a “situation board” for tracking and documenting narcotic and undocumented alien entries into the United States. This system has been directly linked to the detection of three major air smuggling routes through southeastern Arizona, the seizure of numerous tons of marijuana, and the apprehension of hundreds of undocumented aliens and their smugglers.
I have recently been in contact with Theo and his wife. I hope to be able to enrich HonorFirst.com with documents and photographs better detailing his significant contributions to USBP history.
1992
Theo D. Hudson
Senior Patrol Agent
Tucson Sector
Senior Patrol Agent Theo D. Hudson designed and developed a “situation board” for tracking and documenting narcotic and undocumented alien entries into the United States. This system has been directly linked to the detection of three major air smuggling routes through southeastern Arizona, the seizure of numerous tons of marijuana, and the apprehension of hundreds of undocumented aliens and their smugglers.
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.
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 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:
1972
John Charles Gigax
Date of Birth: June 1, 1972
Entered on Duty: March 17, 1997
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 7, 1999
Details:
Border Patrol Agent John Gigax was killed in an automobile crash while he was travelling from a temporary assignment in Washington, DC.
Agent Gigax, who was stationed in Laredo, Texas, was driving on I-95, near Doswell, when his department Jeep Cherokee veered off the road and struck the rear of a car carrier parked on the shoulder in Hanover County, Virginia. The Jeep's momentum caused it go over the cab of truck, landing head-first on the pavement. The Jeep broke apart upon impact with the ground, killing Agent Gigax instantly.
Agent Gigax had served with the United States Border Patrol for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents.
Gravesite
John Charles Gigax
Date of Birth: June 1, 1972
Entered on Duty: March 17, 1997
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 7, 1999
Details:
Border Patrol Agent John Gigax was killed in an automobile crash while he was travelling from a temporary assignment in Washington, DC.
Agent Gigax, who was stationed in Laredo, Texas, was driving on I-95, near Doswell, when his department Jeep Cherokee veered off the road and struck the rear of a car carrier parked on the shoulder in Hanover County, Virginia. The Jeep's momentum caused it go over the cab of truck, landing head-first on the pavement. The Jeep broke apart upon impact with the ground, killing Agent Gigax instantly.
Agent Gigax had served with the United States Border Patrol for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents.
Gravesite
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