This Week in USBP History, Vol. 1

September 5 - September 11

Documents
​1930

• A gunfight occurred in El Paso between three Border Patrol Inspectors and smugglers at the foot of Grama Street.  No injuries reported in this 8 page document. It should be noted that the modern location where Grama St. meets East Paisano Drive, Paison Drive is approximately the boundary of the United States and Cordova Island (Mexico), until the mid-1960's.

1931

• September 10, 1931, the second BP Uniform Policy, General Order 179, implemented.  Much of the amendments the BP's first Uniform Policy, GO42 were incorporated.  One point of interest in GO179 was that the Sam Brown belt colors were different for the northern border (black) and the southern border (cordovan).
  • Like GO42, GO179 would also have many amendments (1932-1935) to the original policy:
    • 1932 - Double breasted coat authorized
    • 1934 – Trousers begin to be authorized over riding crops on the southern border.
    • 1935 – Double breasted leather coat authorized

1996 - Newton-Azrak Action

Richard B. Holmes    
Border Patrol Agent
McAllen Sector
Joseph E. Kempa
Border Patrol Agent
McAllen Sector
Michael W. Richardson
Border Patrol Agent
McAllen Sector
Andrew W. Schutt
Border Patrol Agent
McAllen Sector
Austin L. Skero II - photo
Border Patrol Agent
McAllen Sector
On September 10, 1996, agents from the Brownsville Station came under hostile fire while in performance of their assigned duties.  During the encounter, Agent Rodelfo Martinez was wounded on the right arm.  His fellow agents, Michael W. Richardson, Joseph E. Kempa, Andrew W. Schutt, Austin L. Skero II, and Richard B. Holmes, were performing line watch duties in an area along the Rio Grande River, approximately seven miles east of the Gateway International Port of Entry at Brownsville, Texas.  The agents were working an area notorious for illegal alien and narcotics smuggling.  
 
The immediate actions of the agents involved in the fire fight resulted in saving Agent Martinez’s life and not allowing themselves to succumb to the hostilities brought against them during the exchange of gunfire.  These agents performed heroic and human acts during an emergency while under extreme stress and displayed exemplary courage under fire.
 
Agents Skero and Holmes were directly in line with the assailants, and Agents Kempa and Martinez and were initially pinned down by gunfire directed at Agents Kempa and Martinez.  Bullets were landing all around them in their semi-covered position; however, when the assailants directed their gunfire at Agents Richardson and Schutt, Agents Skero and Holmes, without regard for their personal safety, moved to assist Agents Martinez and Kempa.  Agent Holmes took up a position to protect Agents Martinez and Kempa.  He assisted Agent Kempa in administering first aid to Agent Martinez.  Agent Skero continued to engage the assailants who were still firing at Agents Richardson and Schutt.  After the shooting had stopped, Agent Skero returned to assist in administering first aid to Agent Martinez.