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Picture

This Week in USBP History, Vol. 15

12/12/2021

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December 12 - December 18

Pictures Wanted!
  • With FORBPO’s help, Ray and I are in a middle of a push to add photos to the HonorFirst Photo Galleries and Upholding Honor First (to show the good works of the current and former workforce).  If you have photos that you would like to have displayed in the HonorFirst Photo Galleries, send them my way and let me know from which decade they come.  If you have something that I can post in Upholding Honor First, also send it my way.  A little more detail on the Upholding Honor First section,  even though there are more sections for the USBP Honorary Awards, I hope to receive a far more awards and recognitions to place in the “Other Significant Recognition Recipients” section.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Before we get to the history, feel free to forward a link to this page or use its contents.  I only ask that you give HonorFirst.com due credit.  

Gift Ideas
I'm good at pre-mid-1950's flashes of USBP history, but Joe writes books!  His books are the most accurate and detailed USBP history available:
  • HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol, Volume One
  • HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol, Volume Two
  • HONOR FIRST: The Unsung Heroes of Oxford
Get yourself an early Christmas present or a gift for the special current or former Border Patrol Agent in your life...
For clarification - I receive no benefit from plugging Joe's books.  I do it because I think they're great!

USBP History
“Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture.” - Honor First and Esprit De Corps
1929
  • On December 12, 1929, the Commissioner of Prohibition sent a request to the Commissioner-General of Immigration asking for a list of all employees conducting “immigration border patrol” work.  The response to that request, included in this document, is the earliest, most complete roster of Border Patrol employees known to exist.
1930
  • On December 13, 1930, in El Paso, Texas, three Border Patrol Inspectors encountered three alcohol smugglers.  Upon seeing the Border Patrol Inspectors, the smugglers abandoned their load of alcohol and retreated across the river to Mexico.  Once in Mexico, the smugglers fired on the Inspectors with a pistol and a rifle.  The Border Patrol Inspectors fired back.  In total, approximately 35 rounds were exchanged with no injuries being reported.  See this cover memo and sworn statement.
1944
  • On December 14, 1944, El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Inspector McBee sent his boss, El Paso District Director Wilmoth, a memo describing the toxic relationship between the Customs Border Patrol and the Immigration Border Patrol.  That poor relationship and lack of coordination was evident by this quote, “A number of clashes, some of them resulting in an exchange of shots, have taken place between officers of the two patrols in the El Paso Sector in the past several years.”

​Newton-Azrak Award Actions
(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
 
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.


USBP Fallen

As of December 8, 2021, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 151* fallen.
Titles
  • 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
  • 48 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
  • 99 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 - 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.
 
1924
Frank N. 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.
 

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.
  

1950
Richard D. Clarke
Date of Birth:                      December 6, 1926
Entered on Duty:                February 23, 1949
Title:                                   Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                    December 18, 1950
 
Details:
At about 1:00 p.m. on December 18, 1950, Patrol Inspector Richard D. Clarke and his teammate, Patrol Inspector Ralph L. Trantor, took Eulalio Cordero, an illegal alien, into custody in south El Paso. They were bringing him to headquarters by automobile for further questioning when the alien suddenly stabbed Inspector Clarke in the heart. His death was instantaneous. The alien then seized Inspector Trantor's gun. Patrol Inspector Trantor slammed on the car's brakes, held on to the gun and threw himself into the back seat where he grappled with the alien and succeeded in holding him until police officers arrived. During the struggle, Trantor's gun was discharged once, the bullet passing through a car seat. Inspector Trantor was badly bitten on the face and arms.

The incident began as a routine immigration procedure. Inspector Clarke questioned Cordero on a street in El Paso, Texas. First claiming to be a citizen of the United States, he later admitted he was an illegal alien. Cordero was charged with murder.
 

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 6:25p.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.
  

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.
 


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.
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    Clifford Gill

    Blog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate.

    ​Read more about Cliff here.


    Ray Harris

    Site founder and owner, former Senior Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent.

    ​Read more about Ray here.


    Joseph Banco

    U.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent.

    ​Read more about Joe here.


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