September 22 - September 28Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week we remember the sacrifices of four brave agents who gave their lives in the line of duty. On September 23, 1988, Senior Patrol Agent Josiah Mahar was tragically killed in a vehicle accident while patrolling in Maine. We also honor Border Patrol Agents James Dominguez, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while on duty on July 19, 2012, David B. Ramirez, who passed on September 26, 2021, and Alfredo M. Ibarra, who lost his life on September 27, 2021. In addition to honoring these fallen heroes, we reflect on key moments in Border Patrol history. On September 26, 1927, the Voluntary Return policy was implemented, streamlining deportation proceedings by allowing non-criminal Mexican nationals to request voluntary departure. Also, on September 25, 1964, Border Patrol agents provided crucial security during Chamizal Day, a historic meeting between U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and Mexican President Adolfo Lopez-Mateos. Join us as we explore these and other significant events 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 22
September 23 Line of Duty Death anniversary Josiah B. Mahar Date of Birth: August 29, 1948 Entered on Duty: February 22, 1983 Title: Senior Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 23, 1988 Details: At about 3:15 p.m. on September 23, 1988, Senior Border Patrol Agent Josiah B. Mahar was involved in an automobile accident on Star Route #27 near Eustis, Maine. Agent Mahar was driving a Service vehicle and was patrolling in a southbound direction when an oncoming vehicle crossed over the centerline and struck his vehicle head-on as he rounded a bend in the road. The impact to Agent Mahar's vehicle was directed along the driver’s door and front fender area. Senior Patrol Agent Mahar died at the scene from massive head injuries sustained in the accident. Burial Details Unknown Line of Duty Death anniversary James R. Dominguez Date of Birth April 5, 1971 Entered on Duty: May 7, 2000 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: July 19, 2012 Details: On July 19, 2012, Border Patrol Agent James R. Dominguez succumbed to injuries received when he was struck by a passing vehicle along Highway 90 near Cline, Texas. At the time of the accident, Agent Dominguez was on duty. Agent Dominguez, age 41, entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on May 7, 2000, as a member of the 434th session of the Border Patrol Academy. Upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to the Uvalde Station in the Del Rio Sector. Agent Dominguez is survived by his wife and four children. Gravesite September 24 On September 24, 1918, the "Big Bend District" informed future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) about the need for additional manpower to enforce the newly enacted Passport Law, Executive Proclamation and regulations concerning the requirement of people to enter and exit the United State through a port-of-entry. In this September 27, 1918 document, Supervising Inspector Berkshire recommended that the Big Bend District partner with the military in addressing the illegal crossings. In his personal diary, portions of which were chronicled for the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol in 1974 by the El Paso Times, retired Senior Patrol Inspector Edwin M. Reeves, describes his first day on duty as a Patrol Inspector in El Paso, Texas. The following describes the events of September 24, 1925, in Edwin Reeves’ own words.
September 25 The first headquarters of the El Paso Sector (sub-district), which also housed the first National Border Patrol Training School, was Camp Chigas (see its modern location here). After Camp Chigas became unsuitable, a new Sector Headquarters was built and completed in 1956. A September, 25, 1964 edition the El Paso Herald-Post shows the location of the new Sector Border Patrol headquarters. This page shows the research and modern location of the building (it's still standing and is in Mexico).
September 26 The concept of a Voluntary Return (VR) was introduced in 1918. However, it became official Immigration Service policy on September 26, 1927, when General Order 97 was implemented.
When the INS was transferred from the Department of Labor to the Department of Justice, all employee badges were changed. This document, signed on September 26, 1940, stated that the new badges had been ordered and were scheduled to be delivered by November 4th. The document also discusses penalties for employees losing badges. On September 26, 2001, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry finalized the design of the "Badge, Identification, Tactical Unit (BORTAC), U.S. Border Patrol". Line of Duty Death anniversary David B. Ramirez Entered on Duty: April 6, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Agent-Intelligence End of Watch: September 26, 2021 Details: Agent Ramirez entered on duty on April 6, 2003, as part of the 546th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Sector Intelligence Unit/Joint California Forensics Center in San Diego, California. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife Rosemary; children: David, Cristian, and Castiel; and father: Modesto. Cremated September 27 September 27, 1984, “Martha Arvizu becomes the first female Physical Techniques (PT) instructor at the Border Patrol Academy, starting with Session 165.”
Line of Duty Death anniversary Alfredo M. Ibarra Entered on Duty: February 9, 2011 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: September 27, 2021 Details: Agent Ibarra entered on duty on February 9, 2011, as part of the 963th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Blythe Station, Yuma Sector, Arizona. The circumstances of his passing were reviewed by an executive panel and the CBP Commissioner who determined that this death occurred in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife Monica; children: Alfredo, Aydan, and Adrian; and mother: Evangelina. Cremated September 28
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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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