September 8 - September 14 Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week in U.S. Border Patrol history highlights acts of heroism, dedication, and sacrifice. On September 8, 1930, a gunfight erupted between three Border Patrol Inspectors and smugglers at the foot of Grama Street in El Paso, Texas. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but this incident serves as a reminder of the dangers agents have historically faced to protect our borders. Inspectors Richard A. Bush, Jack Clayton, and John Colbert demonstrated the courage and resilience that has defined the Border Patrol’s legacy for decades. Additionally, on September 8, 2021, Border Patrol Agent Josue Sepulveda displayed exceptional bravery off-duty in San Antonio, Texas. Confronting an armed individual endangering civilians, Agent Sepulveda took immediate action to evacuate civilians and neutralize the threat. His quick thinking and selfless actions undoubtedly saved lives and prevented a possible tragedy. For this, he was rightfully honored with the prestigious Newton-Azrak Award, exemplifying the caliber of the agents who serve. This week, we also solemnly reflect on the loss of Senior Patrol Inspector Myles J. Scannell, whose life was brutally taken in the line of duty on September 9, 1929, near Polvo, Texas. His tragic death reminds us of the deep personal risks Border Patrol agents endure. We also remember Border Patrol Agent Tyler Robledo, who tragically passed away on September 12, 2014, in a vehicle accident. Their service and sacrifice are a part of our enduring history. Read more about these pivotal moments, the courageous Newton-Azrak Award recipients, and the continuing legacy of the U.S. Border Patrol 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. THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONESSeptember 8
On September 8, 1930, a gunfight occurred in El Paso between three Border Patrol Inspectors and smugglers at the foot of Grama Street. No injuries were reported in this 8 page document. It should be noted that the modern location where Grama St. meets East Paisano Drive, Paisano Drive is approximately the historic location of the United States and Cordova Island (Mexico) border. The following Inspectors were involved in the shooting:
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Josue A. Sepulveda Border Patrol Agent Laredo Sector On September 8, 2021, while off-duty in San Antonio, Texas, Border Patrol Agent Josue Sepulveda displayed exceptional heroism. In the late afternoon, Agent Sepulveda observed an armed individual destroying property in a parking lot. The situation escalated as the perpetrator began firing rounds indiscriminately, endangering the lives of civilians in the vicinity. Demonstrating extraordinary courage and presence of mind, Agent Sepulveda immediately notified the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and took swift action to safeguard the public. With complete disregard for his own safety, he began evacuating civilians from the immediate area, ensuring their protection from the ongoing threat. Fully aware of the imminent personal danger, Agent Sepulveda identified himself as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent and engaged the armed suspect. Through his decisive actions, he managed to deescalate the situation and contained the individual until SAPD officers arrived and secured the arrest without further incident. Agent Josue Sepulveda’s selfless and brave actions were above and beyond the call of duty, performed with full knowledge of the significant risks involved. His heroic efforts in the face of imminent danger prevented potential loss of life and averted a possible tragedy. Border Patrol Agent Josue Sepulveda’s actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol. September 9 Line of Duty Death anniversary Myles J. Scannell Date of Birth: December 19, 1895 Entered on Duty: September 27, 1921 Title: Senior Patrol Inspector End of Watch: September 9, 1929 Details: Senior Patrol Inspector, Myles J. Scannell, Marfa, Texas, was shot and killed on September 9, 1929, on the banks of the Rio Grande River near Polvo, Texas, southeast of Presidio. Inspector Scannell was working alone and apparently was attempting to arrest several aliens. Signs indicated that, while walking with the individuals he had in custody, Inspector Scannell was shot from ambush by someone else. His body bore two bullet and fifteen stab wounds. There is no information available concerning whether or not the killer or killers were identified or apprehended. Inspector Scannell had entered the Service as a Mounted Watchman in September 1921, at Presidio. He was among the first Patrol Inspectors to be appointed to the Border Patrol in 1924, and became a Senior Patrol Inspector in July 1926. See this 1929 testimonial from his brother officers written the day after his murder. Here is a cleaner version of the document. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $78.74 per month for her and their child. Gravesite
On September 9, 1954, as per this report, the SS Emancipacion departed Port Isabel, Texas en route to Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico with 800 Mexican citizens aboard. The report details the trip including that two of the aliens were lost at sea.
From September 9 - 13, 1963, Border Patrol Inspector were sent to the University of Alabama to assist the U.S. Marshals in allowing Vivian Malone (1942-2005) and James Hood (1942-2013) to become the first black students to register at the university.
September 10 On September 10, 1929, Inspectors of the Big Bend Sub-district authored and signed a testimonial memorializing their friend and coworker, Senior Patrol Inspector Myles J. Scannell who had been killed the day before. On September 10, 1931, the second BP Uniform Policy, General Order 179 (GO179), was implemented. Many of the amendments from the BP's first Uniform Policy, GO42, were incorporated into GO179. An interesting point in GO179 was that the Sam Brown belt colors differed between the northern border (black) and the southern border (cordovan).
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Richard B. Holmes Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector Joseph E. Kempa Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector Michael W. Richardson Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector Andrew W. Schutt Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector Austin L. Skero II - photo Border Patrol Agent McAllen Sector On September 10, 1996, agents from the Brownsville Station came under hostile fire while in performance of their assigned duties. During the encounter, Agent Rodelfo Martinez was wounded on the right arm. His fellow agents, Michael W. Richardson, Joseph E. Kempa, Andrew W. Schutt, Austin L. Skero II, and Richard B. Holmes, were performing line watch duties in an area along the Rio Grande River, approximately seven miles east of the Gateway International Port of Entry at Brownsville, Texas. The agents were working an area notorious for illegal alien and narcotics smuggling. The immediate actions of the agents involved in the fire fight resulted in saving Agent Martinez’s life and not allowing themselves to succumb to the hostilities brought against them during the exchange of gunfire. These agents performed heroic and human acts during an emergency while under extreme stress and displayed exemplary courage under fire. Agents Skero and Holmes were directly in line with the assailants, and Agents Kempa and Martinez and were initially pinned down by gunfire directed at Agents Kempa and Martinez. Bullets were landing all around them in their semi-covered position; however, when the assailants directed their gunfire at Agents Richardson and Schutt, Agents Skero and Holmes, without regard for their personal safety, moved to assist Agents Martinez and Kempa. Agent Holmes took up a position to protect Agents Martinez and Kempa. He assisted Agent Kempa in administering first aid to Agent Martinez. Agent Skero continued to engage the assailants who were still firing at Agents Richardson and Schutt. After the shooting had stopped, Agent Skero returned to assist in administering first aid to Agent Martinez. September 11
September 12 Line of Duty Death anniversary Tyler R. Robledo Date of Birth May 1, 1980 Entered on Duty: September 8, 2011 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 12, 2014 Details: On September 12, 2014, Border Patrol Agent Tyler R. Robledo was involved in a two-vehicle accident near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Agent Robledo died of his injuries at the hospital shortly after the accident. The driver of the other vehicle also died. Agent Robledo was 34 years old at the time of his death and leaves behind his wife and two children. Agent Robledo entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on September 8, 2011, as a member of the 988th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was stationed at the Carrizo Springs Station at the time of his death. Gravesite September 13 September 13, 2001, “Within 36 hours following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Border Patrol deployed 318 agents to nine U.S. international airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Boston, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, and Seattle) for security as part of Operation Safe Passage to aid in heightened security and to provide a visible uniformed presence.”
September 13, 2023, “Border Patrol Agents, including BORTAC and K-9 assets, assist in the two-week manhunt for illegal alien and convicted murder Danelo Cavalcante, who escaped from the Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania. BORTAC K-9 Yoda and his handler capture Cavalcante while assisting the Pennsylvania State Police.”
September 14 On September 14, 1924, the new Immigration Border Patrol suffered its first line of duty death. Although it was a result of gunfire, Patrol Inspector James Mankin’s death was an accident resulting from the discharge of a .30 caliber government rifle which slipped out of the vehicle as two of Mankin’s partners were loading it after “cutting sign” on the banks of the Rio Grande River near Laredo Texas. The hammer of the rifle struck the running board causing the rifle to discharge, with the round striking Patrol Inspector Mankin behind his right ear.
Line of Duty Death anniversary James F. Mankin Date of Birth: April 5, 1902 Entered on Duty: July 28, 1924 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: September 14, 1924 Details: At about 4:30 p.m., September 14, 1924, Patrol Inspector James F. Mankin was killed by the accidental discharge of a service rifle. The accident occurred about 18 miles northeast of Laredo near the Rio Grande River where Patrol Inspector Mankin, along with Patrol Inspectors Buck West and Ralph R. Dockum, were patrolling in a government vehicle. The officers, upon reaching the banks of the river, alighted from the car to determine whether any crossings had been made. Upon returning to the car, Patrol Inspector Mankin, who had been driving, entered the vehicle and seated himself behind the steering wheel. Patrol Inspector Dockum prepared to enter the back seat of the car from the left side and Patrol Inspector West was to enter the back seat from the right side of the automobile. There were two rifles in scabbards in the back of the car along with camping gear and other articles. The two officers were rearranging the items in the back of the car in order to make more room for themselves when a .30 caliber government rifle slipped out of the car, the hammer striking the running board and discharging the gun. The bullet struck the back of the front seat about six inches below the top. The bullet split, one part ricocheting to the left, striking the bow over the back seat and passing within a few inches of Dockum's face. The other part of the bullet ricocheted to the right through the upholstering of the front seat, striking Inspector Mankin behind the right ear. Inspector Mankin died less than thirty minutes after the accident. NOTE: For several years, Inspector Mankin was not carried carried in the rolls of the Immigration Service's honored fallen. This is evident by his name being omitted in the 1927 Commissioner-General's Annual Report to the Secretary of Labor (pg 18). Survivor benefits - As per this document, his mother received $20 per month for 8 years. Gravesite Line of Duty Death anniversary Trena R. McLaughlin Date of Birth: April 3, 1950 Entered on Duty: October 14, 1984 Title: Supervisory Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 14, 2009 Details: On July 14, 1994, Border Patrol Agent Trena McLaughlin was stuck with a syringe while searching a vehicle in Temecula, California. As a result of this incident, Agent McLaughlin tested positive for Hepatitis C in 1998. After medically retiring from the Border Patrol in 2002, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Trena McLaughlin died of liver failure on September 14, 2009. Agent McLaughlin served with the United States Border Patrol for 18 years and was a member of the 167th session of the Border Patrol Academy assigned to the Temecula Station later renamed the Newton-Azrak Station in the San Diego Sector. Burial Details Unknown
Comments
|
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
I prefer that you leave comments. However, if you wish to contact me, please do so by emailing [email protected].
|
RSS Feed
