This Week in USBP History, Vol. 140

May 5 - May 11

Good morning!

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! ​​​​​

This week, we reflect on pivotal moments and honor the courage of our Mounted Watchmen, Patrol Inspectors, and Border Patrol agents throughout the history of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Our remembrance begins with May 8, 1919, as we pay tribute to Mounted Watchman Charles L. Hopkins, tragically killed in a gunfight along the Rio Grande. His sacrifice exemplifies the enduring risks and challenges faced by the earliest members of our force.

The narrative of courage continues to May 6, 1984, when we celebrate the establishment of the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC). This milestone marks a significant enhancement in our capabilities, providing specialized tactics and rapid response to secure national security.

Further, we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice more recently. On May 10, 1995, Patrol Inspector Xavier G. Magdaleno tragically died following a devastating accident near the El Paso Sector. Just as poignantly, on May 8, 2021, we remember Border Patrol Agent Freddie Vasquez, whose end of watch is a somber reminder of the dangers our agents face daily.

Concluding our week of remembrance and reflection, on May 5, 2023, BORTAC members showcased exemplary skill by capturing a mass shooting suspect in Texas, highlighting the critical role our agents play in upholding safety and law at both local and national levels.

As we explore these narratives from different eras, we are reminded of the heroism, dedication, and evolution within the Border Patrol. These stories do not only honor those who have served and sacrificed but also underscore the enduring values and steadfast mission of our agency.

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.

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THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONES

May 5

• On May 5, 2023, “BORTAC members capture mass shooting suspect and illegal alien Francisco Oropesa while assisting local and federal law enforcement officers searching San Jacinto County, Texas. The subject had previously been deported four times and had killed five people including a child in Cleveland, Texas.”
  • From - HONOR FIRST - United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline 1924-2024 by Joseph Banco 

 
May 6

• On May 6, 1939, the Buffalo Sub-district responded to the Central Office's January 18, 1939, memo to the field to inventory all badges and cap insignia for all positions.  Most notable Buffalo's response is the name "Paul L.D. Calloway​" (1901-1960), who was the first African American Border Patrol Inspector.
  • Research indicates that Paul L.D. Calloway became a Border Patrol Inspector in the summer of 1924.  He retired from the Border Patrol in 1955.  He worked his entire career in the area of Buffalo, NY. See this 1929 roster (pg. 5).  See these photographs from 1932 and 1942.  Also, see this page from the 1930 Census.
• On May 6, 1984, “The United States Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) is established. BORTAC provides the Department of Justice, and now the Department of Homeland Security, with a specially equipped tactical unit for rapid response, direct action, and special reconnaissance deployments to law enforcement situations and intelligence-based threats requiring special weapons, tactics, techniques and procedures in defense of our national security.”
  • From - HONOR FIRST - United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline 1924-2024 by Joseph Banco 
• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • ​Roberto J. Duran
    Date of Birth:                   March 29, 1968
    Entered on Duty:             January 4, 1998
    Title:                                  Border Patrol Agent
    End of Watch:                  May 6, 2002
     
    Details:
    Border Patrol Agent Roberto Javier Duran was on detail from the Chula Vista Station to the Casa Grande Station when he was ejected from his vehicle in a vehicle rollover accident on Monday, May 6, 2002. He had worked the midnight shift and was returning to the station. Agents from the Casa Grande Station rendered emergency medical assistance and provided comfort to Agent Duran, but he died at the scene.
     
    Agent Duran was born in Anthony, New Mexico. He served in the United States Navy from 1986 to 1997. He was a graduate of the 361st session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Charleston, South Carolina.
    
    ​Gravesite

 
May 7

• Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.

 
May 8

• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • ​Charles L. Hopkins
    Date of Birth:                      February 23, 1881
    Entered on Duty:                December 24, 1912
    Title:                                     Mounted Watchman
    End of Watch:                     May 8, 1919
    
    Details:
    On May 8, 1919, at 10:15 p.m., Mounted Watchman Charles Lloyd Hopkins was shot by smugglers on the banks of the Rio Grande River, near Laredo, Texas. He died three hours later in Mercy Hospital, Laredo. Reportedly, the shot that killed Mounted Watchman Hopkins was the first one fired in a general gun battle between smugglers and federal officers in which a United States Public Health Service Guard, Ira Hill, and several of the Mexican smugglers were also killed.
    ​
    Gravesite
• On May 8, 1928, George Harris (1976-1941) wrote a letter concerning H.R. 11755​ which was introduced on March 5, 1928 and would have had the USBP be a separate agency under the Department of Labor. 
  • George Harris would be one of the first two Chiefs of the Border Patrol (called Supervisor, Border Patrol) in 1926 with the implementation of General Order 61​.  In 1927, he would be reassigned to other positions leaving Ruel Davenport (1878-1961) to be the sole Chief of the Border Patrol.  In 1932, Harris would return as the Chief of the Border Patrol (called Director at that time) and be the only person to serve nonconsecutive terms in the position.
• On May 8, 1939, the Buffalo District sent a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning lost badges.  
  • The memo was in response to a January 18, 1939,  Central Office issued memo mandating that all badges and cap insignia be inventoried. 
• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • Freddie Vasquez
    Date of Birth:                       June 28, 1977                              
    Entered on Duty:                 June 16, 2002
    Title:                                      Border Patrol Agent 
    End of Watch:                      May 8, 2021
     
    Details: 
    Agent Vasquez entered on duty on June 16, 2002, as part of the 515th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty.  At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the El Paso Station, El Paso Sector, Texas.  His line-of-duty death occurred on May 8, 2021.
      
    He is survived by his wife: Inez; sons: Alexander, Christopher, and Abram; daughter: Samantha; parents: Jose and Maria Vasquez; and brothers: Jose and Frank Vasquez.
    
    Gravesite

 
May 9

• Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.

 
May 10

• On May 10, 1934, El Paso District Director Grover Cleveland Wilmoth (1884-1951) sent a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning the two Border Patrol Inspectors placing in a shooting competition. Senior Patrol Inspector George W. Parker, Jr. (1908-1984) was "declared state champion at the rifle and pistol matches held a Fort Huachuca under the auspices of the Arizona State rifle Association".  Famed Patrol Inspector Charles Askins Jr. (1907-1999) won the police pistol match and it was suspected that his perfect score may have been a new record.  In closing, Wilmoth boasted:
  • Considerable interest is being displayed by officers in this district in competitive shooting and it will be noted that we have in our ranks at least two of the foremost shots in this section - if not in the United States.
• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • Xavier G. Magdaleno
    Date of Birth:                    September 9, 1950
    Entered on Duty:              September 15, 1980
    Title:                                   Border Patrol Agent
    End of Watch:                   May 10, 1995
     
    Details:
    On May 10, 1989, Border Patrol Agent Xavier G. Magdaleno and his partner were driving their vehicle alongside the railroad tracks in an area of the El Paso Sector known as the “slag pits.” 
     
    The agents were driving east between the slag piles and outbound tracks. A train was coming toward them on these tracks. Once clear of the slag piles, Agent Magdaleno tried to execute a 180-degree turn. The wheels of the vehicle began to slide in the soft slag. The vehicle would not respond to the steering wheel; instead, it plowed forward, alongside the incoming tracks. The agents did not see the incoming train because of the slag piles and the curve of the track until it was about 75 yards from the vehicle. Agent Magdaleno put the vehicle into reverse in an attempt to get out of the train’s way. However, the train struck the vehicle on the passenger side and threw the rear of the vehicle toward the track, striking it again.  On the initial impact, Agent Magdaleno’s partner was thrown out of the vehicle away from the train. The second impact threw Agent Magdaleno out of the vehicle, and it came to rest on top of him. He was pinned under the wreckage for 45 minutes. When freed, he was taken to R.E. Thomason General Hospital, where surgery was performed. He was paralyzed from the neck down, requiring ventilator assistance. He died from his injuries on May 10, 1995.  Agent Magdaleno was a graduate of the 139th session of the Border Patrol Academy and was assigned to the El Paso Station at the time of his death.
    
    ​Gravesite

 
May 11

• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • Richard M. Goldstein
    Date of Birth:                      September 10, 1969
    Entered on Duty:                March 25, 2002
    Title:                                     Border Patrol Agent
    End of Watch:                    May 11, 2007
     
    Details:
    On May 11, 2007, Agent Richard M. Goldstein drowned in the Coachella Canal near Niland, California, east of the Salton Sea.  After he went missing, Agent Goldstein’s canine partner was found sitting alongside his vehicle, which was parked and idling near the canal. The Customs and Border Protection and California Highway Patrol Air divisions assisted several Border Patrol Agents in the search for the missing agent. A short time later, he was found drowned a few miles from his vehicle.
     
    Agent Goldstein’s K-9 partner, Carlo, was wet, and markings in the area indicated the dog had been in the water and struggled to get out of the canal. Early reports indicated that Agent Goldstein entered the canal in order to rescue his K-9 partner.
     
    Agent Goldstein was a five-year veteran of the Border Patrol and was assigned to the El Centro Sector’s Indio Station.
    
    ​Gravesite