June 30 - July 6Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we explore pivotal moments that have shaped the Patrol. On June 30, 1927, Inspectors Bogel and Finnegan’s bravery in El Paso, Texas, underscores the dangers faced by agents. We honor Jefferson Davis Milton’s long service, culminating in his 1932 retirement. On June 30, 2005, Agents Brinkhoff and Villa’s courage during a shootout with smugglers earned them the Newton-Azrak Award. July 1 marks key milestones, including Frank W. Berkshire’s 1907 appointment and the 1924 establishment of 32 Border Patrol Subdistricts. We remember the fallen, including Patrol Inspector in Charge Edwin H. Wheeler, who died in 1952, and Agent Leopoldo Cavazos Jr., who died in 2012, both in the line of duty. We also acknowledge the extraordinary bravery of other Newton-Azrak Award recipients, including Agents Darrel Welsh, Paul Delgado Jr., James E. Clark, Caleb R. Smith, and Leonel Calderon Jr. Join us for these stories and more as we delve into the storied past of the U.S. Border Patrol. 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 MILESTONESJune 30
On June 30, 1927, a shooting occurred in El Paso, Texas, involving Patrol Inspectors Galitzen Newton Bogel Sr. (1886-1973) and Frank A. Finnegan. The Patrol Inspectors engaged in a close quarters struggle with Juan Aguilar who was armed with a knife. During the struggle, Inspector Bogel was cut/stabbed multiple times. Aguilar was stopped after being shot by both inspectors. See this document. On December 1, 1913, Jefferson Davis Milton (1861-1947) was promoted/converted to an Immigration Inspector and reassigned to Fairbanks, Arizona. He remained in this position until officially transferred to Tombstone, Arizona, on November 10, 1931, where he retired on June 30, 1932 at the age 71.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Christopher D. Brinkhoff Border Patrol Agent Tucson Sector Juan H. Villa Border Patrol Agent Tucson Sector Border Patrol Agent Christopher D. Brinkhoff and Border Patrol Agent Juan H. Villa were recognized for extraordinary courage and valor during the performance of their duties on June 30, 2005, when they discovered evidence that there were narcotics smugglers in the remote desert area of Nogales, Arizona. At approximately 12:25 p.m., the agents encountered a group of 10 to 12 individuals. Immediately, an unknown number of the group began to fire at the agents. During the exchange of gunfire, both Agents Brinkhoff and Villa were shot in the right leg. The agents, suffering from shattered femurs, relayed via radio that they were down and needed assistance. A subsequent search of the area revealed 498.1 pounds of marijuana hidden in the brush. July 1 The first Supervising Inspector for the Mexican Border was Frank W. Berkshire, appointed on July 1, 1907, who would later become known as the “Father of the U.S. Border Patrol.”
On July 1, 1917, all remaining Chinese Inspectors were converted to Immigration Inspectors to better reflect their duties, but they still remained under the Chinese Division of the Immigration Service.
July 1, 1924, “With funding received from Congress at the beginning of the fiscal year, 32 Border Patrol Subdistricts are formally established.”
On July 1, 1925, Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Wyandotte Sub-district, George T. Montague, submitted a monthly report to the District Director. It is interesting to remember that at this time, the Border Patrol had only been operating for one year.
On July 1, 1940, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) and El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) disseminated a 15-page document designed to provide employees with sound advice to equip them to be competitive for promotion, Elements for Advancement in the Service. July 1, 1940, “The Marine City and Sault Ste. Marie Border Patrol Sub-Districts (sectors) are merged into the Detroit Border Patrol Sub-District.”
Effective July 1, 1970, responsibility for prosecution of all Border Patrol cases was reassigned to the Border Patrol. These had previously been presented by Senior Immigration Inspectors or Special Agents as agreed upon by Federal District Courts. This led to an increase in sector prosecution units, provided additional responsibilities for Border Patrol Agents, and provided a deterrent effect to small-time smugglers and guides.
As part of the INS Reorganization of 1982, the Ogdensburg Sector “consolidated” with the Swanton Sector and officially closed on July 1, 1982.
July 1, 2008, “Final Spanish Probationary exams held for graduates of Class 715. This final exam officially ended the six-and-half and ten-month Post Academy exams for the U.S. Border Patrol.”
July 2 On July 2, 1931, the NRA responded to Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull's (1864-1938) letter from June 24, 1931. The response states that Hull's letter was given to General Milton Atchison Reckord who was an Executive Vice-President of the NRA. Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Charles A. Rodgers Jr. Border Patrol Pilot Del Rio Sector On July 2, 1988, while patrolling the Rio Grande River near Del Rio, Texas via Service helicopter, Border Patrol Pilot Charles A. Rodgers Jr. located three persons, one male and two females, who had recently landed on the United States side of the river illegally by the use of tire inner tubes. As he circled the area, he advised the party of three, utilizing the helicopter public address system, against attempting to return to Mexico by swimming because of the depth and swiftness of the river. He noticed that the male subject, who did not heed the warning and proceeded to swim across the river towards Mexico, was having difficulty remaining above the surface. Rodgers lowered the helicopter and advised the victim to grab the landing skid. The victim managed to grasp the skid but due to exhaustion could not hold fast. Rodgers made a final attempt to save the male subject by hovering dangerously above the surface and lowered the skid into the water, but the victim apparently lost consciousness and did not surface again. He gained altitude in order to direct the rescuer and allow him to help the victim, but the rescuer was also having difficulty staying afloat. With total disregard for his personal safety, Rodgers lowered the Service helicopter perilously to the surface of the river. The rescuer was able to clutch the skid and was taken to safety on the Mexican shoreline. July 3 On July 3, 1928, the Thirteenth Supplement to General Order 10 was issued. This document detailed when an alien's voluntary departure could still be in compliance with an order of deportation.
On July 3, 1936, a memo was sent to the Secretary of Labor that identified the titles, pay grades and salary ranges of all Border Patrol positions. There are several items of interest in the memo:
July 4 Today marks a quiet day in USBP history. July 5 On July 5, 1913, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) wrote a 5-page memo with recommended modifications to the position of Mounted Inspector.
On July 5, 1934, the Acting District Director of the El Paso District wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General touting the successes of the the El Paso and Marfa Sub-district shooting teams. The memo provide the scores of a competition between the two sub-districts where Marfa was the winner. Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Darrel Welsh Senior Patrol Agent Tucson Sector On July 5, 1992, the largest manhunt in the history of the State of Arizona ended when escaped fugitive Danny Ray Horning was captured by Senior Patrol Agent Darrel Welsh. The actions of Agent Welsh were the result of a great deal of professionalism and devotion to duty. Horning was serving multiple life sentences for armed robbery, aggravated assault, and kidnapping and burglary. He had also been indicted for murder and dismemberment of the body of a witness against his brother in the State of California. Following what the FBI believed a frivolous lead, Agent Welsh responded to the area of a reported sighting. He confirmed the boot-print left by Horning and concluded he was indeed in the area. A short time later, Agent Welsh leaped into the ditch where Horning was huddled and single-handedly took him into custody. Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Paul Delgado Jr. - photo, photo 2, award set Border Patrol Agent Sanderson, TX James E. Clark - photo, award certificate, award set Border Patrol Agent Sanderson, TX Caleb R. Smith - award certificate Border Patrol Agent Sanderson, TX Leonel Calderon Jr. - award certificate Border Patrol Agent Sanderson, TX On the evening of July 5, 2021, along Texas Highway 349 near Sanderson, TX, a high-speed chase involving a Texas State Trooper ended in a catastrophic crash when a vehicle loaded with subjects hit a rock face at over 100 MPH and burst into flames. Four Border Patrol Agents – Paul Delgado Jr., James E. Clark, Caleb R. Smith, and Leonel Calderon Jr. – displayed extraordinary heroism in response to this crisis. Agent Paul Delgado Jr. courageously approached the burning vehicle, removed the windshield, and cut the seatbelts to rescue the trapped subjects, despite the intense heat melting his Leatherman tool. Simultaneously, Agent James E. Clark used a fire extinguisher to combat the flames and entered the burning vehicle to assist in extracting the injured subjects, persisting even after an explosion. Agent Caleb R. Smith, amidst the peril, removed multiple injured subjects from the vehicle, and after an explosion, he ensured the safety of another agent before returning to the fiery scene to continue the rescue efforts. Agent Leonel Calderon Jr. faced the challenge of rescuing a severely injured and combative subject, managing to move the individual to safety and provide life-saving measures amidst the dangerous flames. Together, these agents' quick actions, bravery, and selflessness under extreme conditions exemplify the highest standards of the Border Patrol, saving lives and bringing great credit to themselves and their organization. July 6 On July 6, 1931, El Paso District Director Grover W. Wilmoth (1884-1951) sent a memo to the Commissioner-General. The report was written by Senior Patrol Inspector Gottlieb Widmer Linnenkohl (1891-1952). Mentioned in the memo are:
Line of Duty Death anniversary Edwin H. Wheeler Date of Birth: November 1, 1908 Entered on Duty: November 12, 1940 Title: Patrol Inspector in Charge End of Watch: July 6, 1952 Details: At about 9:45 p.m. on July 6, 1952, Patrol Inspector in Charge Edwin H. Wheeler was involved in a head-on auto collision on Highway 59 near a bridge spanning the Nueces River approximately four miles south of Mathis, Texas, in San Patricio County. Inspector Wheeler was in a government automobile traveling in a southerly direction after having been in Mathis on official business. It collided with an automobile driven by Milton Mareth, who was hospitalized with a fractured left arm. Three other passengers with Mareth received superficial cuts and bruises. Shortly after the accident, Inspector Wheeler's body was discovered lying on the front seat of the automobile, which had traveled over 400 feet beyond the point of original impact. His body was positioned as though it had fallen from behind the steering wheel, giving the appearance that he had been driving the automobile. Inspector Wheeler was pronounced dead by a nurse who stopped at the scene of the accident. The body was removed to a mortuary in Alice, Texas, where, at 1:30 p.m. the following day, a bullet hole was discovered in Inspector Wheeler's head. An autopsy performed on July 7, 1952, revealed death was instantaneous from a bullet wound in the head above the right ear. Investigation into various aspects of the case led to the conclusion that Inspector Wheeler was shot to death by an unknown person or persons. Gravesite Line of Duty Death anniversary Leopoldo Cavazos, Jr. Date of Birth May 12, 1983 Entered on Duty: May 22, 2006 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: July 6, 2012 Details: On July 6, 2012, Border Patrol Agent Leopoldo Cavazos Jr., a six-year veteran posted at the Fort Hancock Station, died from injuries sustained in an on-duty, all-terrain vehicle accident near the Fort Hancock Port of Entry. Agent Cavazos is survived by his wife, two daughters and a third child expected later this summer. Agent Cavazos entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 22, 2006, as a member of the 621st Session of the Border Patrol Academy. After graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to the Fort Hancock Station in the El Paso Sector. 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
October 2024
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