This Week in USBP History, Vol. 141

May 12 - May 18

Good morning!

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

​This week in U.S. Border Patrol history, we commemorate the profound courage and sacrifice of our agents. From the early discussions in 1922 that shaped the foundation of the Border Patrol, to the heroic actions of Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Dan M. Harris Jr., who was awarded the Newton-Azrak Award for extraordinary bravery in 2007, our history is rich with dedication and valor.

We also remember the sacrifices of Agents Hector R. Clark and Eduardo Rojas, Jr., who tragically lost their lives in 2011, and Agent Daniel Salazar, who died in the line of duty in 2022. Each story is a testament to the risks and responsibilities borne by those who guard our borders.

Join us as we reflect on these pivotal moments and honor the legacy of those who have served. Dive deeper into our storied past and the continued evolution of our mission in this week's blog.

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 12

• Resurrection City - Prior to his assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. had begun plans for a peaceful “occupation” of the National Mall in Washington, DC, bringing together people of all races and economic conditions from across the country to bring attention to economic inequality.688 After his death, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) took up the mantle of what was to be called “The Poor People’s Campaign” and sought to set up a sixteen-acre tent city, dubbed “Resurrection City, U.S.A” on the National Mall...  Not having sufficient manpower to maintain order, the Marshals reached out to the U.S. Border Patrol and 38 Patrol Inspectors were detailed and deputized as Deputy U.S. Marshals on May 12, 1968.​​
  • From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco​​
• Line of Duty Death anniversary

Hector R. Clark
Date of Birth                         November 16, 1971
Entered on Duty:                   August 20, 2001
Title:                                      Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                       May 12, 2011
Gravesite
Eduardo Rojas, Jr.
Date of Birth                         October 14, 1976
Entered on Duty:                  April 9, 2000
Title:                                     Lead Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch:                       May 12, 2011
Gravesite
Hector R. Clark and Eduardo Rojas, Jr., both dedicated members of the U.S. Border Patrol, tragically lost their lives on May 12, 2011, in a devastating accident. On that fateful morning, their government vehicle was struck by a freight train near the intersection of Interstate 8 and Paloma Road, about nine miles west of Gila Bend, Arizona. At the time, Agents Clark and Rojas were actively assisting other agents in the pursuit of a group of suspected illegal aliens.
 
Agent Hector R. Clark, born on November 16, 1971, in the Yuma, Arizona community, joined the U.S. Border Patrol on August 20, 2001, as part of the 481st Session of the Border Patrol Academy. After graduating, he was initially assigned to the El Centro Station in the El Centro Sector and later to the Yuma Station in the Yuma Sector. At the age of 39, Agent Clark's end of watch came while serving at the Yuma Station. He left behind a legacy of commitment and bravery, survived by his wife and two children.
 
Agent Eduardo Rojas, Jr., born on October 14, 1976, in El Paso, Texas, began his service with the U.S. Border Patrol on April 9, 2000, as a member of the 432nd Session of the Border Patrol Academy. Following his graduation, he was assigned to the Yuma Station in the Yuma Sector, where he rose to the rank of Lead Border Patrol Agent. Agent Rojas, a graduate of Irvin High School, was 34 years old at the time of the accident. He is remembered for his dedication and service, survived by his wife and two children.
 
Both agents are honored for their commitment and sacrifice to the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the U.S. Border Patrol and their communities. Their untimely passing is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those who protect our borders.
 
May 13

• On May 13, 1924, the San Antonio District sent a detailed memo to the Central Office in response to an April 30, 1924 request.  The San Antonio District memo described, in detail, the locations to which the "additional guards" would be assigned.  The San Antonio District included modern-day Del Rio, Laredo and Rio Grande Valley Sectors.
  • On April 30, 1924, the Action Commissioner-General sent a memo to the 11 immigration districts that were adjacent to the borders of the United States.  The memo indicated that funding was expected to be approved in the amount "...to effectively put a stop to all smuggling operations along the land boundaries..."  The memo instructed to the district heads to respond by telegram with the number of "guards or patrolmen" each district wished to receive.  They were instructed to follow the telegram with a written, more detailed response.  The memo also contains the telegram responses.
    • Interestingly, once created and until 1941, the Border Patrol had more inspectors assigned to the northern border than to the southern border.  This occurred even though the southern border had requested staffing levels three times greater than that of the northern border. Some may say that a greater number of inspectors were placed on the northern border in response to the ratification of the 18th Amendment and the passage of the Volstead Act, Prohibition. Further, many sources cite that the Border Patrol was created in response to Prohibition.  However, no official Immigration Service documents have been discovered in the National Archives that support that popular claim.
    • When conducting research at the National Archives, it was assumed that there must have been a plan in existence to implement once funding was received to create the USBP.  The memo above and the corresponding telegrams clearly demonstrate that no such plan existed a mere three weeks before funding would be received.
• Line of Duty Death anniversary

Daniel Salazar
Date of Birth:                    May 1, 1982
Entered on Duty:                  June 8, 2018
Title:                                     Border Patrol Agent 
End of Watch:                       May 13, 2022
 
Details: 
Border Patrol Agent Salazar entered on duty on June 8, 2018, as part of 1097th Session of the Border Patrol Academy.  He recently served at the El Cajon Station in San Diego Sector. He had served in the San Diego Sector his entire career.
 
Agent Salazar was killed in a single vehicle accident as he was responding to a sensor activation in the early morning hours. Reports indicate that he was driving on an unimproved road when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled down a steep embankment.  Agent Salazar was thrown from the vehicle during the accident.
 
BPA Salazar is survived by his wife Karina Martinez, his 9-month-old son Santiago Daniel Salazar, his father Humberto Salazar, his mother Marielena Salazar and his siblings Nancy Salazar, Cindy Chacon and Michael Salazar.
 
Gravesite
 
May 14

• On May 14, 1914, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General recommending against expanding the duties of Junior Inspectors, a position that had been announced in 1913​.
  • In 1924, Border Patrol Inspectors had no immigration authority.  By law, authority rested with employees who had the title "Immigrant Inspector" who were paid more than Border Patrol Inspectors.  In order that Border Patrol Inspectors might receive legal authority without being paid more, the Commissioner-General wrote a proposal to the Second Assistant Secretary of the Department a Labor requesting to resurrect a plan that was used in 1913 for Mounted Watchmen, and to rename Border Patrol Inspectors, Junior Immigrant Inspectors. See this document.
• On May 14, 1925, the "Chief, Accounts and Personnel Division" wrote a high-level memo concerning the operating costs and strength of the Border Patrol by position.
• On May 14, 1931, Commissioner-General received a letter​ from the Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association.  The letter concerned Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel Davenport's (1878-1961) interest in having personnel participate in an annual shooting match at Camp Perry in Ohio.
  • Marking the birth of the USBP National Pistol Team, the Border Patrol participated in a 1934 match at Camp Perry.  See this page for more information.
• Line of Duty Death anniversary
  • Richard A. Lugo
    Date of Birth:                   August 14, 1935
    Entered on Duty:              July 18, 1966
    Title:                                 Patrol Inspector (Trainee)
    End of Watch:                  May 14, 1967
    
    Details:
    On May 14, 1967, Patrol Inspectors (Trainee) Richard A. Lugo and Bruce A. Plaskett were assigned to maintain sign cutting drag strips and to deliver tire drags to selected sites. They were enroute from their official station, Yuma, Arizona, to Andrade, California, traveling north on Levee Road at approximately 40 miles per hour. Without advance indication that anything was wrong, the right rear tire of the 1966 International Scout suddenly deflated, causing the rear end of the vehicle to swerve radically. Trainee Lugo lost control of the vehicle, which skidded and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on its left side with the top crushed in almost to the level of the body. Trainee Lugo was killed instantly, his head having been crushed when the vehicle overturned.
    
    Gravesite

 
May 15

• Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.

 
May 16

• On May 16, 1956, two documents were written to support the construction of additional border fencing:
  • This document provides a justification for both the fencing that existed at the time as well as the construction of new fencing.  On an interesting note, this document provides that the USBP was apprehending approximately 200 aliens per day on the southern border, a striking contrast to modern numbers.
  • This document provides estimates for the additional manpower and equipment needed if the request for additional fencing were not approved. The fencing locations are identified as Chula Vista, Calexico, Yuma, El Paso, and Brownsville.
• ​One of the unique traditions that started at the graduation of the 130th Session on May 16, 1979, was the playing of the Border Patrol March as the graduating trainees walked into the auditorium. The Border Patrol March was composed and arranged by George F. Briegal (1890-1968) and Czerna C. Lafler (1891-1973), two U.S. Army officers in Plattsburgh, New York.​
  • From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999​ by Joseph Banco

 
May 17

• On May 17, 1933, the short-lived two border district approach (1932-1933) came to an end as General Order 203 came into effect reinstating General Order 61 effective June 1, 1933.  The two border district approach was created when the two general orders below superseded General Order 61:
  • General Order 183 - Created the Director of the Border Patrol for the Mexican Border, Gulf and Florida immigration districts.  The district was headquartered in El Paso and George Harris (1876-1941) came back to be the "Chief" for a nonconsecutive term.
  • General Order 184 - Created the Director of the Canadian Border District.  The district was headquartered in Detroit and Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), the Father of the Border Patrol, became the third person to be "Chief" of the Border Patrol.
• Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
  • Dan M. Harris Jr. - ​photo
    Assistant Chief Patrol Agent
    Marfa Sector
    Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Dan M. Harris Jr. was recognized for demonstrating unusual courage during an extremely dangerous and stressful situation on May 17, 2007. Agent Harris was invited to Athens, Texas to be the guest speaker at the Henderson County Peace Officer Memorial Service. During the service, Henderson County Deputy David Harris received a call for emergency backup due to shots being fired at a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputies began receiving gunfire and tragically, two deputies were shot and killed and another deputy was wounded. Agent Harris exposed himself to extreme risk or loss of life in order to render aid to the wounded deputy. Also being a certified Emergency Medical Technician, he was able to stabilize the wound with the assistance of other deputies.

 
May 18

• On May 18, 1922, a meeting occurred concerning creating a "border patrol".  This document gives a highlight of the meeting as well as those in attendance.  Interestingly, the meeting was organized by H.P. Perrill who is believed to be U.S. Navy Captain Harlan Page Perrill (1874-1962).
• On May 18, 1936, it is believed that the first class of the Border Patrol Training School began based on this  document​.
  • A photograph (courtesy of the  Border Patrol Museum)  of a Border Patrol training class that was in session December 3, 1934 - March 17, 1935, is used as the birthdate of the USBP Academy.  It remains unclear whether Camp Chigas was used by the El Paso District (Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sub-districts) for training district employees prior to that photo. However, the concept of creating a national academy had been discussed and researched in 1934 (see this document and this document).  Records were not kept that identified the date that Camp Chigas began training all Border Patrol new hires and therefore became the national Academy. Nevertheless, 1936 is the year that documents support that having occurred.
  • It should be noted, if still standing, the building housing the El Paso Sub-district 2 headquarters and station and, the first national training school (Camp Chigas) would be located in the United States by 10-20 feet. See this page for its current location. However, there is a former U.S. Border Patrol building that is still standing that is located in Mexico. It is the Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas building. See this page.
• On May 18, 1956, a memo was written concerning the transfer of GS-7 Border Patrol Inspectors.  It gives a valuable insight to the INS hierarchy and locations of the time.