December 11 - December 17Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! My father is a subscriber to this newsletter and last week he shared with me that the Border Patrol should hire me to do this HonorFirst.com stuff as a contractor. That gave me quite a chuckle. I told him that the Patrol had me on their payroll less than two years ago but that my chain-of-command stifled me to the point I had to retire. Plus, now they're getting all of this for free, but with the risk of me being unrestrained. As a quick sidenote, in my last three years in the Patrol, I was performing a job that I absolutely loved, Awards and History. I retired because of my chain-of-command, in perfect example of, "people don't quit jobs, people quit people." My retirement was a retention failure and could be a leadership case study of what not to do. Getting back on track... I try to use my powers for good, just like I always have. That is to say to the benefit of the workforce. I avoid the turbulence of politics, and of voicing any opinions I may have on strategic and tactical approaches to patrolling the border. I like to stay in the realm of my passion, organizational pride and employee morale. Highlighting the good, shining the light on areas of improvement, and attempting to influence beneficial change. As a retiree, I have been known to send emails to Border Patrol leadership of all levels. Sometimes a note of congratulations, and sometimes sharp suggestions to benefit the workforce. Every day, I engage with 100's of current and former employee's in the Agents' Forum. I want to highlight one of my recent posts to the forum concerning someone who left a significant impression, someone I consider to be a great leader, Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeff Denise:
 2018 Agent Support Division. (Jeff Dinise in the center, me on the far right) Our professional staff team member is missing from the photo.  General Order 42 Too often, we only hear of negative leadership stories. Jeff's is a positive one, where a person in a position of authority valued those in his charge in a manner will always impress me. Thank you, Jeff! This week (like last week, ha!), starts of BIG with the Patrol's first uniform policy, General Order 42 from 1924! We have the earliest, most complete roster of Patrol Inspectors of which I am aware from 1929. Surprise, there was a gunfight in El Paso in 1930! The Patrol and Customs didn't really get along in 1944 (who would have guessed we would be one big happy family in beginning in 2003?). We remember two Newton-Azrak Award recipients, both given posthumously, on the anniversary of their actions. Also, we remember five of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Before I forget, make sure you visit the Border Patrol Stories page. I've received several that are pretty good! If you want to submit a story, please sent to me at cliff@honorfirst.com. 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 1924
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
 Newton-Azrak Award 2004 James P. Epling Border Patrol Agent Yuma Sector Posthumously Awarded Border Patrol Agent James P. Epling was honored posthumously for his courage and bravery in rescuing a female alien in distress in the swift cold waters of the Colorado River and attempting to apprehend a group of illegal aliens along the riverbanks. On the evening of December 16, 2003, Agent Epling was assigned to the Yuma Border Patrol Sector in Yuma, Arizona. He was working near Andrade, California, when he was last seen attempting to apprehend a group of illegal aliens along the banks of the Colorado River. Moments prior to his disappearance, Agent Epling entered the swift, cold waters of the Colorado River to rescue a female alien in distress. Once the woman was safe, Agent Epling pursued four other individuals he observed running south toward Mexico along the riverbank in an attempt to escape arrest. This was the last time Agent Epling was seen alive. Agent Epling’s body was recovered from the river after a three-day search. 2011 Brian A. Terry - photo Border Patrol Agent Tucson Sector/BORTAC Posthumously Awarded On December 14, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry was conducting operations as a member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) in the Nogales, Arizona area of operations. Agent Terry’s team encountered five individuals, at least two of whom were armed with rifles, in the “Peck Well” area near Rio Rico, Arizona. During the attempt to arrest these individuals, the agents and suspects fired shots. Agent Terry was mortally wounded during the exchange of gunfire and succumbed to his injuries on December 15, 2010.  U.S. Border Patrol Badge with Mourning Band USBP Fallen As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen. Titles:
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. I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen.  Fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax's tombstone. Fallen Border Patrol Agent Jason C. Panides' tombstone in is the background. 1924
Frank H. Clark Date of Birth: January 4, 1879 Entered on Duty: August 5, 1924 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 13, 1924 Details: While patrolling in company with another officer near Cordova Island, El Paso, Texas, on the evening of December 13, 1924, Patrol Inspector Clark was shot and killed by smuggler's spotters. They had concealed themselves at a strategic point on the American side of the international boundary line for the purpose of warning and protecting the smugglers should the presence of officers be detected. When the smugglers were challenged by the Patrol Inspectors, the spotters opened fire from ambush, and one of the shots hit Patrol Inspector Clark. His death was instantaneous. Other officers quickly took positions in concealment surrounding the scene of the action and remained there through the night. They found sacks containing illegal liquor, and they took into custody a Mexican family found on the scene searching the premises in the early morning. One of these Mexicans, Eulalio Aguilar, was subsequently indicted on charge of murder, convicted and given a 10-year sentence. Survivor benefits - As per this document, Wife received $65 per month until their two children turned 18, then $49 per month. Gravesite 1927 Franklin P. Wood Date of Birth: September 22, 1894 Entered on Duty: March 11, 1926 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 15, 1927 Details: Patrol Inspector Franklin P. Wood stationed at Sibley, Michigan, disappeared in the early morning of December 15, 1927. On the Detroit River near Wyandotte, Michigan, under cover of darkness, Patrol Inspectors Wood, James W. Oliver, and Chief Patrol Inspector Ivan A. Hall patrolled in search of smugglers expected in the area. Two boats containing contraband liquor had been seized and were being guarded when Inspector Wood left to pursue another boat operating in the vicinity of Wyandotte. He left in pursuit of one boat loaded with aliens, while his fellow officers pursued another. His wrecked boat, rammed by the smugglers, was found on the river sometime after Patrol Inspector Wood was last seen. Patrol Inspector Wood either drowned or was killed by the smugglers and thrown into the river. His body was never found. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his mother received $22.50 per month until her death in 1931. Body not recovered. 1996 Michael W. Barnes Date of Birth: April 7, 1951 Entered on Duty: March 14, 1976 Title: Patrol Agent in Charge End of Watch: December 12, 1996 Details: On December 12, 1996, about 4:00 p.m., Border Patrol Agents were working on a trail on the Chittum Ranch in Carrizo Springs, Texas, assisted by a Del Rio Sector pilot. They spotted a group of about 13 illegal aliens, who ran when the agents approached them. Agents Barnes apprehended five of the aliens and turned them over to Agent Tapia. He began trying to apprehend the remainder of the group. The pilot spotted the group running along a creek bottom and was guiding agents toward the area. Agent Barnes was within about 50 yards of them when the pilot stated over the radio that Agent Barnes had gone down. He radioed Agent Barnes, but there was no response. When he notified the other agents in the area of the situation, they started making their way to assist him. About 4:32 p.m., Agent Tapia found Agent Barnes face down. Agents determined that he was not breathing and had no pulse. They immediately started performing CPR. Pilot Snyder radioed for an ambulance and a helicopter. Agent Barnes was placed in an INS Bronco and transported to the ambulance. About 5:38 p.m., a helicopter took off with Agents Barnes and Guzman for a hospital in San Antonio, arriving at 6:13 p.m. At 6:25 p.m., a doctor advised Agent Barnes had died. The medical examiner’s office determined he had suffered a massive heart attack. Agent Barnes was born in San Antonio and grew up in Pearsall, Texas. He served as a Supervisor, Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge and Patrol Agent in Charge at the Carrizo Springs Station. Gravesite 2003 James P. Epling Date of Birth: March 9, 1979 Entered on Duty: January 13, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 16, 2003 Details: On December 16, 2003, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Border Patrol Agent James P. Epling was reported missing after responding to sensor activity along the Colorado River near Andrade, California. Agent Epling had apprehended two Chinese illegal immigrants and had rescued another from drowning in the Colorado River. He was attempting to apprehend other illegal immigrants along the river when he suddenly disappeared. A massive rescue operation by Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue teams, as well as multiple local, State, Federal, tribal, and foreign agencies, was immediately initiated. The response and coordinated rescue effort continued for three days. On December 19, 2003, at approximately 7:15 p.m., with the aid of an underwater camera, Agent Epling’s body was located 29 feet deep in the Colorado River. He was approximately 200 yards from where it was believed he initially disappeared. The investigation revealed that Agent Epling had died as a result of accidental drowning. Agent Epling was 24 years old and was a graduate of the 537th session of the Border Patrol Academy. On January 28, 2004, his son, James Paul Epling II, was born. Gravesite 2010 Brian A. Terry Date of Birth August 11, 1970 Entered on Duty: July 23, 2007 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 15, 2010 Details: On December 14, 2010, Agent Brian A. Terry was shot while conducting a Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) operation in the area of ‘Peck Wells’. This area is near Rio Rico, Arizona and about 15 miles north of Nogales, Arizona. At 11:15pm, Agent Terry and his team spotted a group of individuals approaching their position. An encounter ensued and gunfire was exchanged. Agent Terry succumbed to his injuries on December 15, 2010. Agent Terry was a native of Flat Rock, Michigan. He served our country proudly with the United States Marine Corps and continued his service as a Police Officer with the cities of Ecorse and Lincoln Park prior to joining the United States Border Patrol. Agent Terry was a member of the 699th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Naco Border Patrol Station within the Tucson Sector. Agent Terry is survived by his mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, brother and two sisters. The Naco Border Patrol Station was later renamed in his honor. Gravesite |
