This Week In USBP History, Vol. 10

November 7 - November 13

All,

Starting this week I’m doing something a bit different.  My weekly updates will include three main sections:

1. Historic events supported by documents primarily collected from the National Archives
2. Newton-Azrak Award Actions
3. USBP Fallen

I hope that this information will help drive organizational pride, primarily by the recipients (you) using it to create IDS slides, email blasts, internal web postings, social media posts, etc…  I also recommend that you explore the links in my signature block.  I think that you will find them informative.  It should go without mentioning, but other great sources of information are the BP Museum and Joe Banco’s books (USBP History Vol 1 and USBP History Vol 2).

These posts are not meant to be controversial, harassing or otherwise negative.  However, infrequently, I will include suggestions as they come up. This email happens to includes two because John Charles Gigax’s LODD anniversary was yesterday (see the bottom of the email).

This week in history happens to be pretty light…

USBP History

​1918

• On November 8, 1918, Frank Berkshire's (The Father of the Border Patrol),  final proposal for the creation of the Border Patrol was 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).

1940

• 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 13, 1940, the Los Angeles District Director sent a memorandum to the Central Office re questing new construction for the Chula Vista and El Centro Sub-districts (to build new sub-district HQ's).

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​Newton-Azrak Award Actions

None for the week

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USBP Fallen

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.


His brother, Gene, became a Border Patrol Agent and was assigned to the Laredo North Station like his brother.  Several years ago, Gene transferred to OFO.  His signature block still includes a DOJ style Border Patrol Badge with a mourning band.

Charlie is buried in Jacksonville, FL about 100’ away from Jason Panides.

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As of October 28, 2021, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 148* fallen.
Titles

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 96 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
• 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist

* With the exception of two of the fallen 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.