September 1 - September 7Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we explore a series of events that highlight the agency’s evolving role and the dedication of its agents. On September 1, 1931, the Commissioner-General sent a memo that would eventually contribute to the Border Patrol’s participation in the prestigious Camp Perry shooting competitions, showcasing the skill and discipline of the agency’s marksmen. The week also marks the heroic actions of Border Patrol Agents Ruben Gonzalez and Christian Llamas, who, on September 1, 2021, risked their lives to save a drowning swimmer in a sewage-contaminated section of the Pacific Ocean. Their bravery exemplifies the unwavering commitment of the Border Patrol to protect and serve, even in the most perilous situations. We also solemnly remember the sacrifices of those who have fallen in the line of duty, including Agent Michael V. Gallagher, who tragically lost his life on September 2, 2010, after being struck by a drunk driver. These moments in history remind us of the profound dedication, courage, and sacrifice that define the U.S. Border Patrol. As we reflect on these stories and more, we honor the legacy of the men and women who have shaped the history of the U.S. Border Patrol. Join us in exploring the full history of this week and pay tribute to the heroes who have served with distinction. 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 MILESTONESSeptember 1
On September 1, 1931, Commissioner-General Harry E. Hull (1864-1938) sent a memo to the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District (District #1) concerning firearms and competing in Camp Perry, Ohio in 1932.
In FY 1972, the INS made the decision to terminate the Border Patrol Air Transport Operation in favor of “more cost effective” bus transportation. Alien transport requiring air services would be contracted out or carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service’s new National Prisoner Transportation System, later to become the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS). The final flight for the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet occurred on September 1, 1972, when Convair N1179 landed and was declared excess property by the General Services Administration. Twelve transport aircraft were used between 1954 and 1972, accumulating 78,859 flight hours and 330,073,133 passenger miles.
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
September 2 On September 2, 1931, Chief of the Border Patrol Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) sent a memo to Bert R. Landis of the Bureau of Immigration regarding the “draft of revised specifications for Border Patrol uniforms.”
Line of Duty Death anniversary Michael V. Gallagher Date of Birth: July 5, 1978 Entered on Duty: July 21, 2008 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 2, 2010 Details: On September 2, 2010, Agent Michael V. Gallagher was killed after being struck by a drunk driver on Federal Route 19 on the Tohono O’Odham Nation, near Casa Grande, Arizona. The collision caused Agent Gallagher’s vehicle to overturn multiple times; due to the impact, his body was ejected from the vehicle. The drunk driver was charged with negligent homicide, but pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a plea agreement. Agent Gallagher was a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the 794th Session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station within the Tucson Sector. Agent Gallagher is survived by his wife, two sons, mother, father, stepmother, step- father, and two sisters. Gravesite September 3 Two 1918 documents were discovered in which the Commissioner-General addressed a request about staffing levels along the Mexican border. The document from September 3, 1918 shows authorized numbers and the document from September 4, 1918 shows actual numbers. The documents specify that there were 68 Mounted Watchmen employed but 84 authorized. Mounted Watchmen were also known as Mounted Guards and Mounted Patrol. The origin of the quote ‘maximum strength of 75 watchmen’ is unknown and unverified. The September 3rd document is the best evidence yet located that indicates the maximum strength of the mounted force (68 Watchmen). As part of the deterrent effort and interior repatriation program, the INS and U.S. Border Patrol implemented a “Boatlift” from Port Isabel, Texas to Tampico and Veracruz, Mexico beginning in 1953. Transporting Mexican nationals by Boatlift as part of interior repatriation was seen as a more economical, timely, and “cleaner” option than Bus or Train-Lifts for interior repatriation by the Mexican government. Three Mexican flagged vessels with Mexican crews were used for the Boatlift: the S.S. Emancipation, S.S. Mercurio, and S.S.Veracruz. The first “Boatlift” repatriation left Port Isabel, Texas, on September 3, 1953, with 800 Mexicans aboard the S.S. Emancipation. The Boatlift was responsible for repatriating 2,000 illegal aliens a month, with a total of 49,503 deported between September 3, 1953, and August 25, 1956, when the Boatlift was terminated.
September 4 On September 4, 1927, Rouses Point Chief Patrol Inspector L. Antonio Bonazzi (1890-1950) authored a memo to the Montreal District Commissioner of Immigration, recommending enhancements for four sub-district stations and proposing the establishment of an additional station. On September 4, 1980, the acting INS commissioner issued a memo that authorized military-style collar insignia for the U.S. Border Patrol to enhance rank recognition, particularly for interactions with the military. The insignia served dual purposes: acknowledging an employee’s significant status and not solely indicating supervisory roles, as staff officers also received them. The new rank system started with captain’s bars for first-line supervisors and went up to two stars for the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. September 5 Border Patrolman “Leonard Gilman (1918-2012) would later testify before the Senate Aviation Committee about the hijacking. His testimony helped ensure the passage of Public Law 87-197 on September 5, 1961, making airplane hijacking defined as aircraft piracy under 49 U.S.C. § 1472 (i) and punishable by death or not less than 20 years confinement.”
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary George E. Evancheck – award statuette, notification letter, selection letter with event description Border Patrol Agent Del Rio, Texas While on official duty near Comstock, Texas, on the morning of September 5, 1986, you witnessed a major traffic accident involving a car and a large gravel truck. The truck crushed the car and then careened into a combination residence and liquor store occupied by an elderly couple. At great personal risk, you secured the scene of the accident and gave comfort to the victims, two of whom died. With disregard for personal injury, you crawled into the fuel soaked debris of the liquor store and residence that had been demolished by the large tractor-trailer truck. You helped extricate the occupants and prevented fire or explosion by quickly assessing matters and getting hot electrical wires and butane gas disconnected. Your quick thinking and willingness to act at great risk to your own safety and well being is to be commended. I am proud to have you as an employee of this Service. The Service is indeed fortunate to have a border patrol agent of your caliber. On September 5, 2001, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry finalized the spec sheet for the U.S. Border Patrol Chaplain’s Device. September 6 On September 6, 1961, a meeting was held between the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Federal Aviation Agency, and Department of Justice on the future of Operation Skyguard. It was decided, due to other commitments required of the U.S. Border Patrol, that effective September 10, 1961, Border Patrol Inspectors would be utilized on a request basis and that primary and administrative duties for the program would transfer to the Federal Aviation Agency. During Operation Skyguard, 718 Patrol Inspectors flew on 1,310 commercial flights and covered a distance of 1,724,396 miles.
Line of Duty Death anniversary/ Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Keith Connelly Date of Birth: December 11, 1946 Entered on Duty: June 21, 1971 Title: Special Agent (Anti-Smuggling) End of Watch: September 6, 1989 Details: On September 6, 1989, at 1:45 a.m., Anti-Smuggling Agent Keith Connelly was shot by alien smugglers in the city of Fresno, California, where he died shortly thereafter. He was working an undercover operation accompanied by his partner, Ted Jordan, who was also shot but survived the ordeal. The Fresno, California Police Department responded to the emergency assistance call and apprehended the suspects who were turned over to the FBI for prosecution. Keith Connelly joined the U.S. Border Patrol in June 21, 1971, in Chula Vista, California, being assigned to the San Clemente Station. He then transferred to Rouses Point, New York, in September 1975, and worked along the Northern Border until reassigned to San Clemente in May 1978. In 1983, he was transferred to Fresno, California, where he became a Senior Border Patrol Agent in December 1986. In August 1988, he was promoted to Special Agent assigned to the Fresno Anti-Smuggling Unit where he served until the time of his death. Burial Details Unknown September 7 Line of Duty Death anniversary Robert J. Heibler Date of Birth: January 28, 1916 Entered on Duty: April 30, 1941 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: September 7, 1941 Details: During the evening of September 7, 1941, Patrol Inspectors Robert J. Heibler and Eldon C. Wade were on duty inspecting traffic on U.S. Highway #90 about three miles west of Uvalde, Texas. At approximately 9:00 p.m., one of the road flares used to warn approaching traffic was blown out by the wind, and Patrol Inspector Heibler, while relighting it, was struck by a passing automobile and dragged about 20 feet. The automobile did not stop and Inspector Wade did not pursue it at the time feeling that it was more important that he render first aid to Inspector Heibler. He began artificial respiration. About 15 minutes later, a physician reached the scene of the accident, gave Inspector Heibler an injection of adrenalin, and continued artificial respiration; however, the officer died within a few minutes. Gravesite On September 7, 1962, Assistant Deputy Attorney General William Geoghegan (1925-2015) held a meeting in his office at the Department of Justice to discuss government intervention at Ole Miss to ensure the admission of James Meredith (1933- ). The meeting was attended by representatives of the DOJ, U.S. Marshals Service, INS Assistant Commissioner James Greene (1915-1995), and Chief of the Border Patrol Donald Coppock (1910-2011). During the meeting, plans were drawn out for the deployment of over 500 federal law enforcement officers, including more than 300 Border Patrol Inspectors, to be staged from the Millington Naval Air Base, in Memphis, Tennessee, with orders to deploy to Oxford, MS, to protect James Meredith and facilitate his enrollment at the University of Mississippi.
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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
December 2024
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