October 20 - October 26Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we look back at October 20, 1910, when Frank Berkshire, later known as the “Father of the Border Patrol,” played a key role in selecting mounted inspectors to strengthen the border. We also take a glimpse at a 1954 photo of a two-mile fence in Nogales, illustrating how border infrastructure has long been part of the mission. This week, we also remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On October 20, 1998, Senior Patrol Agents Jesus de la Ossa and Thomas J. Williams tragically lost their lives in a vehicle accident while returning from an instructor’s course. We honor the memory of Mounted Guard Charles Gardiner, killed in the line of duty on October 21, 1922, during an inspection. We also pay tribute to Airplane Pilot Walter S. Panchison, who died in a plane crash on October 23, 1998, and Patrol Inspector Ralph L. Anderson, who lost his life in an accidental shooting on October 25, 1968. Finally, we remember Senior Patrol Agent Catherine M. Hill, who died in a vehicle accident while on patrol on October 25, 2002. Explore this week’s blog to learn more about these stories and the legacy of service and sacrifice that continues to define 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 MILESTONESOctober 20
On October 20, 1910, the future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol, Supervising Inspector of the Southwest Border Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning the selection and compensation of "mounted inspectors" (which were also known as mounted watchmen and mounted guards). Berkshire would become the 3rd person to have been "Chief of the Border Patrol". Fences are not a new concept on the southwestern border. See this October 20, 1954 photograph of a 2-mile fence in Nogales. On October 20, 1971, the U.S. Border Patrol Academy graduated the 100th Session. With the graduation of the 127 Border Patrol Agent (trainees) of 100th Session, more than 7,000 Border Patrol Inspectors/Agents had completed the Academy since its formal inception in July 1940 with the 1st Session.
Line of Duty Death anniversary Jesus de la Ossa Date of Birth: June 21, 1965 Entered on Duty: November 28, 1993 Title: Senior Patrol Agent End of Watch: October 20, 1998 Details: On Tuesday, October 20, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., Agents Jesus De La Ossa and Thomas J. Williams were traveling to San Diego after successfully completing the Border Patrol Academy Instructor’s Course. They were involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle and lost their lives in the accident, which happened about 15 miles west of Artesia, New Mexico. Agent De La Ossa was born in Nogales, Arizona. Before entering the Border Patrol, Agent De La Ossa served as a military policeman in the U.S. Air Force. He joined the INS as a Border Patrol Agent and was later promoted to Senior Patrol Agent. At the time of his death, his official station was Brown Field, California. He was a graduate of the 264th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Gravesite Line of Duty Death anniversary Thomas J. Williams Date of Birth: July 21, 1966 Entered on Duty: May 5, 1994 Title: Senior Patrol Agent End of Watch: October 20, 1998 Details: On Tuesday, October 20, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., Agents Thomas J. Williams and Jesus De La Ossa were traveling to San Diego after successfully completing the Border Patrol Academy Instructor’s Course. They were involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle and lost their lives in the accident, which happened about 15 miles west of Artesia, New Mexico. Agent Williams was born in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He graduated from Western Illinois University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in criminal justice. He served in the Navy for four years, two of which were served on the submarine USS Henry Clay. He joined the INS as a Border Patrol Agent and was later promoted to Senior Patrol Agent. At the time of his death, his official station was Brown Field, California. He was a graduate of the 266th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Gravesite In October 20, 2004, the Border Patrol Basic Academy moved to Artesia, New Mexico, where it remains today. The first class to report to Artesia was session 583. The Academy continued to teach Spanish to all trainee agents until session 715. From that session onward, trainees had the option to test out of the Spanish course, effectively shortening the academy duration to 55 days for those able to pass the Spanish Proficiency Test. Traditionally, agents begin their careers on the southern border. However, in August 2008, session 803 became the first class with trainees reporting to the Northern U.S. Border since 1950. October 21 Line of Duty Death anniversary Charles Gardiner Date of Birth: February 5, 1882 Entered on Duty: August 15, 1918 Title: Mounted Watchman End of Watch: October 21, 1922 Details Mounted Guard Charles Gardiner was shot and killed without warning by the driver of a wagon loaded with smuggled liquor. Gardiner was approaching the vehicle to inspect it when the unprovoked attack occurred. The report indicated that he approached a one-horse wagon containing two Mexicans for the purpose of questioning them as to their immigration status and that they jumped from the wagon, immediately firing upon him from close range. Death Certificate Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $66.67 per month for her and their four children. Then $49.50 for her and one child. Gravesite In late October 1967, 120 Patrol Inspectors were deployed to Washington, DC/Arlington, Virginia, to support the U.S. Marshals in protecting the Pentagon during what became known as the Pentagon Riot of October 21, 1967.The Patrol Inspectors were deputized as U.S. Marshals and helped the other federal agents secure the exterior of the Pentagon from what was supposed to be a peaceful protest of the Vietnam War. All were in plain-clothes and issued white helmets and batons. Batons were the only less-than-lethal tools used to control the violent rioters. No tear gas was used and the Marshals had orders to conceal and not use their firearms.
October 21, 2004, “First consolidated Border Patrol Academy class (583) begins at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, New Mexico. Last classes graduate from Glynco and Charleston earlier in 2004.”
October 22
October 23 On October 23, 1940, a one-page memo was written that provided estimated costs for constructing sub-district headquarters buildings on the northern border at Lynden, WA; Bonners Ferry, ID; Havre, MT; Grand Forks, ND; and Buffalo, N.Y. The efforts of the U.S. Border Patrol were recognized by Attorney General Ramsey Clark (1927-2021) and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara (1916-2009) at a ceremony held at the Department of Justice on October 23, 1967. Deputy Attorney General Warren Christopher (1925-2011), also complimented those deployed with a letter of appreciation which read in part;
Line of Duty Death anniversary Walter S. Panchison Date of Birth: January 15, 1945 Entered on Duty: March 6, 1978 Title: Airplane Pilot End of Watch: October 23, 1998 Details: On Friday October 23, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., Agent Scott Panchison was flying a U.S. Border Patrol plane in response to motion sensors tripped along the United States - Canadian Border near Lynden, Washington. Agent Panchison was working with other agents in the area and was heading back to Bellingham International Airport when his plane crashed into rugged terrain in the Smith Peak area just north of Mount Baker Highway on the west side of Sumas Mountain. Agent Panchison lost his life in the crash. Agent Panchison was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University. After graduation, Agent Panchison joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he spent ten years flying F4 Phantoms, including flights from aircraft carriers in the Vietnam War. He left the Corps to join the U.S. Border Patrol, where he proudly served for 21 years. At the time of his death, he was stationed at the Blaine Sector. He was a graduate of the 119th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, Georgia. Gravesite October 24 A cover memo for the Commissioner-General, along with a brief report of a shooting/alcohol seizure incident that occurred on October 24, 1928, were drafted. In this incident, Immigration Border Patrol and a Mounted Customs officer were working together. The following inspectors were involved in the shooting: In 1950, Camp Chigas had served as the location of the Sector HQ, station and the academy for many years. The existing buildings were outdated and inadequate for the Patrol's needs. So, proposals had been presented to create a training facility in El Paso. This October 24, 1950 memo, discussed the status of continuing the construction of the new training location.
Line of Duty Death anniversary Rafael G. Sanchez Entered on Duty: September 16, 2002 Title: Supervisory Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: October 24, 2021 Details: Agent Sanchez entered on duty on September 16, 2002, as part of the 527th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Hebbronville Station, Laredo Sector, Texas. 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 Anabel; children: Arielle, Maritza, and Rafael; and mother: Corina; sister Nora; and grandchildren: Joshua, Jordyn, and Gianna. Cremated October 25 Line of Duty Death anniversary Ralph L. Anderson Date of Birth: February 16, 1923 Entered on Duty: May 1, 1950 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: October 25, 1968 Details: On October 25, 1968, Patrol Inspector Ralph L. Anderson was assigned to the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift on the international boundary near San Ysidro, California. He was working alone, checking the drag trails for signs of illegal crossings. Shortly after 4:00 p.m., Patrol Inspector Charles Thompson found Patrol Inspector Anderson in a Service-owned vehicle in a remote area near the Mexican border east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. There was a bullet wound in Inspector Anderson's right temple and a 218 “Bee” Savage bolt-action rifle inside the vehicle, with the muzzle pointing upward and leaning toward the decedent. Investigation conducted by the FBI revealed that the rifle was carried loosely inside the vehicle with the muzzle upward. A mark on a gearshift lever knob indicated that the trigger of the weapon had fallen against the knob. The impact discharged the rifle, and the projectile struck Inspector Anderson in the right temporal region. There was no indication of any other person or persons having been in the area. San Diego County Deputy Coroner Murphy concluded the mode of death to be accidental. Gravesite October 25, 1978, “The Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers (FORBPO) was founded in order to preserve the unique spirit of the Border Patrol, and to perpetuate the loyalties and friendships, which accrued during the years of active service.”
Line of Duty Death anniversary Catherine M. Hill Date of Birth: March 19, 1965 Entered on Duty: November 1, 1999 Title: Senior Patrol Agent End of Watch: October 25, 2002 Details: Senior Patrol Agent Catherine M. Hill, 37, was performing patrol duties in the Tijuana River Valley (Smuggler’s Canyon area) early in the morning on Friday, October 25, 2002, when her vehicle rolled down the edge of a 40-foot cliff. She died at the scene. Agent Hill was a graduate of the 419th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy and was assigned to the Imperial Beach Station at the time of her death. Known for her outgoing and community-oriented personality, she was an advisor for Border Patrol Explorer post #1924 and a member of the San Diego Sector’s Peer Support Team. Gravesite October 26 October 26, 2006, “President Bush signs the Secure Fence Act of 2006, funding construction of 700 miles of additional fencing along the U.S. Mexico border. Secure Fence Act of 2006 also mandated the Secretary of Homeland Security to achieve and maintain operational control over the entire international land and maritime borders. The law defined “operational control” as the prevention of all unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband.”
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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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