October 6 - October 12Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week’s blog features pivotal moments that highlight the evolving role of the U.S. Border Patrol. From early discussions in 1918 about establishing a “regular patrol” to enforce wartime measures, to the 1924 recruitment announcement that allowed women to apply, the history of the Patrol is full of interesting milestones. We also honor the sacrifices of Border Patrol agents like Robert M. Hotten and Henley M. Goode, Jr., and recount the heroism of agents like Robert H. Arnold Jr. and Herbert L. Williams, who faced heavy gunfire in 2002 while protecting their fellow agents. Curious to dive deeper into these events and the agents who made history? Explore this week’s blog to discover more about the Border Patrol’s enduring legacy of service and sacrifice. 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 MILESTONESOctober 6
On October 6, 1918, the Commissioner-General sent telegrams to Seattle and El Paso immigration officials requesting their insight into placing a "regular patrol" in their areas to enforce the "Passport-Permit Regulations" and to "aid in the enforcement of other distinctly wartime measures." On October 6, 1942, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) wrote a memo on behalf of the Commissioner to the Warden of the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The memo contained, "...the names and addresses of the district and subdistrict offices of the United States Immigration Border Patrol." The memo also contains a disclaimer - "Each subdistrict has a number of stations infer its jurisdiction but, as these are changing constantly, all communications should be addressed to the District Directors or Chief Patrol Inspectors." Line of Duty Death anniversary Robert M. Hotten Date of Birth: September 24, 1975 Entered on Duty: September 10, 2009 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: October 6, 2019 Details: On October 6, 2019, BPA Robert M. Hotten was investigating potential illegal cross-border activity in extremely rugged terrain near Patagonia, Arizona. After he failed to respond to radio calls, fellow agents responded to his last known location and found him unresponsive. Agent Hotten was airlifted to a hospital in Nogales, Arizona where he was later pronounced deceased. Agent Hotten entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on September 10, 2009, as a member of the 910th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was assigned to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation. Agent Hotten served with the United States Border Patrol for over 10 years. Burial Details Unknown October 7 The earliest known Border Patrol announcement is from October 7, 1924. It’s particularly notable for debunking the folklore that applicants were required to provide their own horse or firearm. Here are some key points of interest from the announcement:
The Charleston Border Patrol Academy had its grand opening on October 7, 1996.
October 8 On October 8, 1934, Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962), wrote a congratulatory note to Jacksonville District Border Patrol Inspectors that had participated in the Florida Police Pistol League competition that occurred in Tampa. Border Patrol participants were:
During the early 1960s, one of the Beaver aircraft was also assigned to the Northeast and mainly flew out of Swanton and Houlton Sectors. The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was based out of Burlington, Vermont, and was equipped with floats. Retired Patrol Inspector Gordon Dilmore shared a story of an [October 8, 1963] incident where the Beaver was almost involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force fighter that was in trouble. The assistance provided to the pilot after the aircraft crashed was credited with saving the pilot’s life.
Line of Duty Death anniversary David H. Gray Entered on Duty: March 21, 2016 Title: Enforcement Analysis Specialist End of Watch: October 8, 2021 Details: EAS Gray entered on duty on March 21, 2016. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Sector Intelligence Unit in Houlton Sector, Maine. Before joining the U.S. Border Patrol, EAS Grey honorably served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. 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 son, Harris; daughter, Marsilla; mother: Velva; and sister, Sandra. Gravesite October 9
October 10 On October 10, 1944, Tule Lake Segregation Center was transferred to the Department of Justice and Border Patrol Inspectors replaced military guards at the center. Approximately 70 Patrol Inspectors were assigned to Tule Lake, taking over the duties which had previously been administered by 450 Army officers and enlisted men. By this time, the internee population had been reduced from 18,000 to 3,300 through repatriations, transfers to other camps, and parole of those determined to be “loyals.”
The Fort Stanton Internment Camp closed on October 10, 1945, after transferring the last of its 24 Japanese internees, who had volunteered to help dismantle the camp, for repatriation to Japan from Terminal Island, California. During its operation, it housed not only the 410 men of the S.S. Columbus, but a total of 778 internees that included 695 Germans, 21 Italians, and 62 Japanese.
October 11 On October 11, 1927, Chief Patrol Inspector Grey of the Houlton Sub-district wrote his boss, the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District, explaining the need to have 5 men assigned to each of the subdistrict's stations (Calais, Vanceboro, Houlton and Fort Fairfield). He also took the opportunity to request additional equipment. Also noteworthy in the memo that CPI Grey did not identify his AOR as a "Sub-district #1" but as "Patrol District #1". This is contrary to the naming convention established in General Order 61 in 1926. Line of Duty Death anniversary Henley M. Goode, Jr. Date of Birth: April 7, 1929 Entered on Duty: August 24, 1953 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: October 11, 1969 Details: During the morning of September 6, 1969, Patrol Inspector Henley M. Goode, Jr. was injured when he fell on the steps of the U.S. Post Office Building, Fort Fairfield, Maine. He had just departed the Border Patrol Office on the second floor of the building and as he neared the lobby level, he tripped and fell a short distance to the lobby floor. There were no witnesses to the accident, but several postal employees heard the sound of someone falling and a voice calling for help. They responded immediately, and obtained a doctor and an ambulance. Examination revealed Patrol Inspector Goode had sustained a fractured left kneecap (Patella). He died unexpectedly on October 11, 1969, at the Fort Fairfield Community Hospital. His death was attributed to pulmonary embolus. Gravesite October 12 On October 12, 1927, Chief Patrol Inspector Thomas of the Massena Sub-district also writes his boss, the Commissioner of Immigration for the Montreal District. Based on this document, it is evident that he and CPI Grey were responding to a memo from their boss. This memo, CPI Thomas describes the manpower and AOR of the sub-district's four stations (Fort Covington, Massena, Morristown, and Depauville). Further, CPI recommends and provides his justifications for opening another station at Hogansburg, NY. Like CPI Grey above, CPI Thomas does not use the naming convention mandated by General Order 61. Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary Robert H. Arnold Jr. Senior Patrol Agent El Paso Sector Herbert L. Williams Supervisory Border Patrol Agent El Paso Sector Senior Patrol Agent Robert H. Arnold Jr. and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Herbert L. Williams were recognized for their acts of bravery and heroism during the pursuit of a narcotics load vehicle after it illegally entered the U.S. with 1,900 pounds of marijuana. On October 12, 2002, Agent Arnold and his partner Border Patrol Agent Valerie Jaramillo pursued a narcotics load vehicle back to the Rio Grande River after it had entered the United States illegally. This occurred approximately 27 miles east of the Ft. Hancock, Texas Port of Entry. The driver abandoned the vehicle (containing 1,900 pounds of marijuana) and crossed back into Mexico. The driver, along with several other armed assailants, began shooting into the United States at these agents. Agents Arnold and Jaramillo were ambushed and came under heavy gunfire. Agent Jaramillo was shot in the leg and the same bullet narrowly missed Agent Arnold. Additional rounds struck the engine compartment and battery, disabling their vehicle. Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Herbert L. Williams entered the area as back up and took heavy fire. Agent Arnold returned fire from cover. Agent Williams positioned his vehicle in the line of fire to provide additional cover so that Agent Jaramillo could be extracted safely. Agents in self-defense of the heavy automatic gunfire fired over 240 rounds. Agent Arnold removed Agent Jaramillo to Agent Williams vehicle and then left the scene to meet with a medical helicopter. Agent Williams provided cover fire as they left the area, at which time they were continuing to take heavy fire from Mexico. Agent Williams was able to safely get out of the line of fire and Agent Jaramillo subsequently recovered from her gunshot wound.
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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
January 2025
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