December 3 - December 9INTROGood morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! Understanding Our Challenges in a Complex Information Landscape In the dynamic field of border security, we, as current and former Border Patrol agents, confront unique challenges. The recent surge in border apprehensions, especially in sectors like Tucson, highlights the demanding nature of our environment. Moreover, a noticeable decline in morale, exacerbated by media portrayals that often oversimplify or misrepresent our roles, adds to the complexity we face. It's imperative to critically evaluate our information sources, particularly steering clear of outlets known for biased and sensational reporting. Such sources often blend opinion with fact, creating narratives that evoke fear and anger rather than informed understanding. The Impact of Biased Information and Confirmation Bias Our roles are complex and often subject to misinterpretation by mainstream media. This misalignment can lead to misunderstandings about our work. Confirmation bias, where we favor information that aligns with our beliefs, can further distort our perception of reality. To counter this, we must consciously seek out diverse, credible sources, avoiding those that sensationalize or distort facts. This approach helps break free from echo chambers, fostering a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the issues we face. In addition to seeking diverse viewpoints, it's beneficial to consult reliable, factual sources for information. Resources such as government publications, academic journals, and reputable news organizations known for their journalistic integrity can provide a more balanced view. Encouraging media literacy is also crucial. Understanding how to identify credible sources and discern fact from opinion is a valuable skill in today's information-rich environment. Avoiding Logical Fallacies in Judgement Key to our professional judgment is understanding and avoiding logical fallacies like Type I and Type II errors:
Recognizing these errors helps us make more balanced decisions, fostering healthier communication within our community. Part of avoiding these fallacies includes seeking out factual information and verifying claims through multiple reputable sources. This practice not only enhances our judgment but also contributes to more informed decision-making. Engaging with Diverse Perspectives Constructive engagement with different viewpoints is essential for deepening our professional insights, building community cohesion, and fostering personal and professional growth. Strategies for this include encouraging open forums for discussion, practicing empathy, and striving for balanced dialogue. This approach values the rich tapestry of experiences within our community, enhancing our collective ability to adapt and thrive. To further enrich our discussions, we can reference reliable sources and data, ensuring that our conversations are grounded in fact rather than conjecture. Concluding Thoughts: The Value of a Balanced Perspective In summary, a balanced perspective is vital for our professional resilience and personal fulfillment. It allows us to navigate complex societal issues with more understanding and less frustration, serving as positive influences in our communities. This balanced perspective strengthens us individually and fortifies our collective mission in safeguarding our nation. As part of our commitment to a balanced perspective, we should continuously strive to improve our media literacy and stay informed through credible sources. This approach not only strengthens our individual understanding but also enhances the collective knowledge of our community. This week we spotlight select moments: The 1913 announcement for "Junior Inspector" was used as to make a significant recommendation concerning the Border Patrol in 1924. December 1927 witnessed two distinct gunfights in El Paso, reflecting the challenges faced by Border Patrol Inspectors during Prohibition. Moving to 1929, Grover Wilmoth's border fence proposal and legislative efforts to reshape the USBP marked a period of significant change. These events, along with many others, paint a vivid picture of the Border Patrol's evolving history. There are no Newton-Azrak Award action anniversaries this week. However, some Newton-Azrak Award recipients do not have a date associated with their actions. Such is the case with retired Assistant Chief Patrol Agent LeAlan L. Pinkerton, who is highlighted this week. Also, we solemnly remember three of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Enjoy and have a great week! Cliff P.S. - 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 [email protected]). As always, make sure to explore all of the hyperlinks to the documents and pages. Finally, please forward this blog to whomever you think may enjoy it. ESPRIT DE CORPSThe 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. THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEKReadiness on the Southwest Frontier A 1950s Border Patrol Legacy Captured in this rare early 1950s photograph is a Border Patrol Inspector, donned in the distinctive army sun tan (khaki) uniform. This specific uniform, authorized exclusively for the southwest border, was a standard from the late 1940s until its discontinuation in 1955. The pith 'lion tamer' hat, though not widely embraced due to its unique style and the nickname it garnered, adds a touch of historical character to the image. Despite the informalities – an unaligned gig-line and an unbuttoned pocket with contents slightly protruding – the inspector embodies the unwavering readiness and commitment that have been the hallmark of Border Patrol agents. This image is a tribute to those who stood guard on the frontier, always prepared to serve, regardless of the uniform or the circumstances. DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS1913
1927
1929
1931
1933
1934
1936
1937
1940
1998
NEWTON-AZRAK AWARD ACTION ANNIVERSARIESFollow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
1998 LeAlan L. Pinkerton Field Operations Supervisor Tucson Sector In 1998, Field Operations Supervisor (FOS) LeAlan L. Pinkerton of the Tucson Sector was recognized with the Newton-Azrak Award for his actions during a critical incident at the range. During a routine qualification day, Agent John Diaz was struck in the leg by a bullet fragment. The fragment punctured his femoral artery, a major artery in the leg. A severed femoral artery can lead to life-threatening blood loss within minutes, making immediate and effective response crucial. Pinkerton, recognizing the severity of the wound, applied a life-saving emergency medical technique. He applied deep pressure to the pelvic area, effectively slowing the massive bleeding. Simultaneously, he coordinated Diaz's transfer from the range to the hospital via a service cruiser. Throughout the 20-minute drive to the hospital, Pinkerton continued to manage the potentially massive blood loss. His actions were instrumental in saving Diaz's life. Pinkerton's actions that day exemplify the highest standards of the U.S. Border Patrol, demonstrating outstanding performance and innovation in Federal law enforcement. His actions are a testament to the dedication and competence that the Newton-Azrak Award for Heroism seeks to honor. U.S. BORDER PATROL FALLEN ANNIVERSARIESAs of November 14, 2023 the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 157* fallen. Titles
The following names hold a distinguished position, as they have made the ultimate sacrifice in their unwavering commitment to uphold the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America. The facts concerning each officer are presented with minimal editing to preserve the "language of the day" found in the original reports, providing readers with a sense of historical context. In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the cause of death for employees who lost their lives in the line of duty due to exposure to lethal illnesses will not be disclosed. * Please note that although the circumstances surrounding their deaths met the criteria for Line-of-Duty Deaths at the time, Patrol Inspector Garvis Field Harrell and Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax are not officially recognized as fallen by either the Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. Additionally, despite Border Patrol Pilot Howard H. Gay losing his life in the action that earned him the Newton-Azrak Award, his death is not officially recognized either. Nonetheless, HonorFirst.com respectfully recognizes and includes Inspector Harrell and Agent Gigax among those honored as having fallen in the line of duty. 1933 Doyne C. Melton Date of Birth: January 17, 1902 Entered on Duty: October 29, 1927 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 7, 1933 Details: Patrol Inspector Doyne C. Melton was shot and killed in a battle with Mexican smugglers at El Paso, on December 7, 1933. Six Patrol Inspectors were moving up in the darkness on seventeen Mexican smugglers who were wading across the river with packs of liquor. One of three smugglers acting as spotters who had preceded the main body of the smugglers over the river, concealed beneath a platform on the American side, opened hostilities by shooting Inspector Melton. The opening shot was fired without warning and before any challenge had been given. Inspector Melton was shot through the heart, dying instantly. The bitterness of the fight was evidenced by the fact that in addition to the slaying of Inspector Melton, four smugglers were killed and another was wounded. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $54.25 per month. Gravesite 1968 James G. Burns Date of Birth: July 31, 1924 Entered on Duty: June 8, 1955 Title: Senior Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 8, 1968 Details: Official reports covering the death of Senior Patrol Inspector James G. Burns indicated he was performing line watch operations, looking for evidence of illegal aliens in a river bottom near Calexico, California, on Sunday, December 8, 1968. He was searching places of concealment in heavy undergrowth, which was exceptionally strenuous activity and required considerable physical exertion. At 6:30 a.m., he began to suffer pains in the chest area, which prompted him to immediately return to the office. He was taken home by another officer and was then conveyed to the El Centro Community Hospital by his wife. He passed away at 8:25 a.m., less than two hours after being stricken. Death was caused by an occlusion of the left coronary artery due to arteriosclerosis. Gravesite 2022 Raul Gonzalez Jr. Entered on Duty: August 11, 2011 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 7, 2022 Details: Border Patrol Agent Gonzalez entered on duty on August 11, 2011, as part of 980th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing he was assigned to the McAllen Station in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, Texas Agent Gonzalez was patrolling the international boundary at approximately 1 AM on an all-terrain vehicle and tracking a group of individuals which illegally crossed the border when he was involved in an accident near Mission, Texas. He was found unresponsive by fellow agents who immediately initiated life-saving efforts and requested emergency medical services. Agent Gonzalez was taken to an area hospital be ambulance where he later passed away. BPA Gonzalez is survived by his five-year-old daughter, Camila; eight-year-old son, Sebastian; father, Raul; brother, Carlos; grandmother, Maria; aunt, Victoria; stepmother, Esther; uncles who are Border Patrol agents, Lucio and Miguel; girlfriend, CBP Officer Ivonne; and a host of family and friends who loved him. Gravesite
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Clifford GillBlog author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate. Ray HarrisSite founder and owner, former Supervisory Border Patrol Agent and retired Immigration Special Agent. Joseph BancoU.S. Border Patrol historian and retired Deputy Chief Patrol Agent. Archives
February 2025
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