May 19 - May 25Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we explore a spectrum of pivotal moments and honor the sacrifices and service of our agents across decades. Starting with May 20, 1924, we delve into discussions that shaped the foundational roles within the Border Patrol, notably when the title of 'Inspector' was advocated for new 'patrolmen' to better reflect their duties. Moving to May 21, 1942, we highlight a lesser-known role of our agents during World War II when they were assigned to guard German enemy aliens being transported to detention camps, underscoring the diverse responsibilities handled by the Patrol. On May 19, 1961, during the tumultuous civil rights era, 349 Patrol Inspectors were deployed to Southern states to assist in maintaining order during significant racial disturbances, demonstrating the versatility and commitment of our agents in national crises. We also commemorate several agents whose line of duty deaths remind us of the inherent risks of our profession. We honor Agent Cruz C. McGuire, who passed on May 21, 2009, Agent Mark F. Van Doren, whose end of watch was May 24, 2010, and Agent Isaac Morales, who died on May 24, 2017, after being attacked while off-duty. On May 19, 2020, the criteria for the USBP Purple Cross were revised to more inclusively honor the physical sacrifices made by our agents due to duty-related injuries, enhancing the recognition for those who suffer in the line of duty. Lastly, we celebrate the bravery demonstrated on May 24, 2022, when several agents were recognized with the Newton-Azrak Award for their extraordinary actions during the tragic active shooter incident at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Join us as we reflect on these significant events and honor the legacy of those who have served in the U.S. Border Patrol. These stories not only commemorate our past but also shape our understanding and appreciation of the complex roles and courageous acts that define 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. THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONESMay 19
...the Attorney General ordered the deployment of three hundred and forty-nine Patrol Inspectors to assist with maintaining order during the racial disturbances in the South. Theses deployments began on May 19, 1961, with Border Patrol Inspectors being deployed to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama, Oxford, Mississippi, and Resurrection City, DC.
On May 19, 2020, a memo was issued to change the criteria of the USBP Purple Cross.
May 20 On May 20, 1924, the Acting District Director of the San Antonio District wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning the title of the new "patrolmen". The author advocates that the new position have the title Inspector, "...a designation which will be more fitting to the work which they will perform..." On May 20, 1935, a blueprint for a USBP sub-district headquarters was finalized. Interestingly, the design included a bunk room.
May 21 On May 21, 1942, the Army Transport S.S. Algonquin arrived in New Orleans from the Canal Zone with 40 German enemy aliens. Three Patrol Inspectors from the San Antonio District and one from the New Orleans District were assigned to guard the Germans on their bus trip to the Kenedy Detention Camp.
On May 21, 1952, the El Paso District and the County of El Paso entered into a lease agreement to house the Border Patrol Training School. The lease was $1.00 per year. The location was identified as the Ascarate Park. Line of Duty Death anniversary Cruz C. McGuire Date of Birth: January 19, 1962 Entered on Duty: September 30, 1984 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: May 21, 2009 Details: Border Patrol Agent Cruz McGuire, of the Del Rio Texas Station, collapsed the morning of May 21, 2009. Attempts by his fellow agents and medical professionals to revive him were unsuccessful. At the time of his collapse, Agent McGuire was working a trail with other agents. Agent McGuire began his career in law enforcement with the Del Rio Police Department and later joined the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office. Agent McGuire graduated with the 166th Session of the Border Patrol Academy and was assigned to the Kingsville Station. Agent McGuire transferred to the Del Rio Station on April 12, 1998. Gravesite May 22 Operation Wetback - Chief Harlon Carter (1913-1991) flew out to El Centro, California, on May 22, 1954, to meet with El Paso Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector Donald Coppock (1910-2011) and El Paso Chief Patrol Inspector Griffith McBee (1896-1972) as well as several other Southwest Border Chiefs to formulate a plan for an operation to aggressively address the illegal aliens through an enforcement “drive” beginning in the Los Angeles District and moving up to Northern California.
May 23 On May 23, 1906, a document was approved that defined the pay of the eleven positions in the Bureau of Immigration. On May 23, 1929, El Paso District Director Grover Cleveland Wilmoth (1884-1951) wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General requesting rank and time-in-service fabric. The fabric was controlled by the Central Office (HQ). See this page for a deeper dive on the Border Patrol's early rank and time-in-service insignia. A few notes of interest, the memo references:
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Bruce D. Sanny Border Patrol Agent San Diego Sector Border Patrol Agent Bruce D. Sanny was recognized for his courageous actions performed on May 23, 1983, in successfully stopping a driver-less van with three occupants, which was in danger of plummeting down a 100-foot cliff. May 24 The first autogiro to crash was piloted by Ned Henderson (1905-1945) and departed from San Antonio for Laredo on May 24, 1941. Henderson reported rotor blade trouble and was forced to crash land at Millet, Texas, near Cotulla. Henderson was bruised and fractured the ulna bone in his right forearm, but otherwise not seriously hurt.874 The aircraft was “completely wrecked.” After the crash, Henderson pleaded with Chief Supervisor Kelly (1903-1921) to continue the autogiro program,
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Joel C. Hardin Border Patrol Agent Bellingham, Washington On Thursday, May 24, 1979, Artie Ray Baker, who had escaped from prison, arrived from Canada at the Lynden Port of Entry with a female companion. Baker's car was selected for a routine inspection. Baker was referred to Customs Inspector Kenneth G. Ward for further examination inside the port-of-entry building. Once inside the building, Baker, fearing he would be caught, pulled a .45 caliber pistol from behind his back, shot and killed Inspector Ward. Baker and his companion fled the port-of-entry in his car. A short time later, Baker drove off-road and his car became stuck. Baker and his companion fled on foot and a large law enforcement search ensued. One of the searchers was Border Patrol Agent Joel Hardin. Even though the dogs and searching officers had obliterated most of Baker's tracks, Agent Hardin eventually found his trail. Accompanied by two local law enforcement officers with shotguns, Agent Hardin proceeded slowly to track Baker through the woods. He found where Baker had taken his boots off and had circled back, and where he hid in a tree. Agent Hardin pointed out where Baker had paused to put his boots on again, confident he had lost the tracking dogs. At about 8:00 a.m. Agent Hardin was closing in when a Bellingham Police detective spotted Baker crouching in the bushes, preparing to make a dash across Mission Road. The detective approached from behind, aimed his shotgun at Baker and ordered him to "freeze." Baker surrendered without a struggle, still in possession of the loaded .45 caliber pistol he used to kill Inspector Ward. Agent Harding was recognized with the Newton-Azrak Award for his part in capturing Baker. Line of Duty Death anniversary Mark F. Van Doren Date of Birth: July 18, 1969 Entered on Duty: January 19, 2009 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: May 24, 2010 Details: On May 23, 2010, Border Patrol Agent Mark F. Van Doren was in a vehicle accident while on patrol when his vehicle collided with a large bull on rural Farm-to-Market Road 755 in Brooks County, Texas. After the impact, his vehicle veered off the road- way and hit a tree. Agent Van Doren died on May 24, 2010 as a result of his injuries. His partner was critically injured in the crash, but survived. Agent Van Doren was a native of Garden City, Michigan. He was a member of the 849th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station within the Rio Grande Sector. Cremated Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Warren Becker III Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC) Del Rio, Texas On May 24, 2022, at approximately 12:35 PM, BORTAC Agent Warren Becker responded to an urgent call-out at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Along with fellow BORTAC and BORSTAR agents, Becker found himself in the midst of a chaotic and dangerous active shooter situation. Demonstrating both courage and resolve, Becker stood at the front line, holding a ballistic shield to provide cover for his team as they prepared to breach the shooter's location. Despite the imminent threat, Becker bravely maintained his position, ultimately leading the entry into the classroom where the shooter was located. His courage under fire, unwavering commitment to the safety of his team and the victims, and his role in neutralizing the threat brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. Paul Guerrero Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (BORTAC) Del Rio, Texas On May 24, 2022, at approximately 11:45 AM, BORTAC Commander Paul Guerrero responded to an active shooter call at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. With multiple law enforcement agencies on scene and the situation rapidly evolving, Guerrero took charge and assumed tactical command. Amidst confusion and misinformation, he maintained composure and clarity of mission. Upon obtaining a master key, Guerrero made the critical decision to lead his team into the room believed to contain the shooter, exposing himself to potential gunfire. His decisive actions resulted in the successful neutralization of the threat, and his clear command facilitated the swift evacuation and triage of wounded victims. Commander Paul Guerrero's exemplary leadership and courageous actions under fire brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. Christopher P. Merrell - award certificate Border Patrol Agent (BORSTAR) Del Rio, Texas On May 24, 2022, at approximately 11:45 AM, Border Patrol Agent (BPA) Christopher Merrell responded to an active shooter call-out at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Multiple law enforcement agencies were already on the scene and had provided a perimeter. They believed the subject was confined in a classroom. BPA Merrell provided cover as the team made their way to the door. As BPA Merrell began to scan the room, he observed the subject coming out of the closet firing towards the team. BPA Merrell immediately started engaging the subject until there was no longer a threat. BPA Merrell continued to provide cover as the team finished clearing the rooms and began helping the wounded inside the classroom. BPA Merrell's actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. Line of Duty Death anniversary Isaac Morales Date of Birth October 15, 1986 Entered on Duty: February 18, 2008 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: May 24, 2017 Details: On May 20, 2017, while off-duty in El Paso, Texas, Border Patrol Agent Isaac Morales was confronted by an assailant with a knife. Agent Morales identified himself as a law enforcement officer, and while attempting to disarm the assailant, Agent Morales was stabbed multiple times. Agent Morales succumbed to his injuries four days later, passing away on May 24, 2017. The killer was arrested and charged with murder. Agent Morales entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on February 18, 2008, as a member of the 749th session of the Border Patrol Academy, and was assigned to the Ysleta Station in the El Paso Sector. Agent Morales served with the United States Border Patrol for over 9 years. Gravesite May 25 On May 25, 1928, Nicholas Donald “Nick” Collaer (1896-1977) authored a letter recommending that Patrol Inspector Harry V. Ellis (1889-1959) not receive a promotion to Chief Patrol Inspector due to Ellis' lack of initiative. Ellis is listed in a December 1929, roster (page 16) as a Senior Patrol Inspector.
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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
October 2024
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