November 3 - November 9Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we look back at foundational moments, such as Frank Berkshire’s 1918 proposal for creating the Border Patrol with 264 agents to secure the southern border—a vision that would be realized in 1924. We also uncover one of the earliest mentions of a Border Patrol intelligence unit in a 1925 memo from Detroit. This week, we honor two agents who lost their lives in the line of duty: Border Patrol Agent David N. Webb in 2006 and Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Anibal A. Perez in 2021. We also remember Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax, who tragically lost his life in 1999. Although his sacrifice met the criteria for line-of-duty recognition at the time, his death remains unrecognized as such by CBP and the U.S. Border Patrol. His name, however, is honored on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Join us as we explore these events, including historical milestones in the USBP uniform’s evolution and the finalization of the USBP flag design. Dive into the blog for these stories and more that capture the dedication and evolution of 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 MILESTONESNovember 3
On November 3, 1918, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), submitted his final proposal for the creation of the Border Patrol. In this proposal, Berkshire was instructed to submit absolute minimums. He proposed a force of 264 Border Patrolmen for the southern border which would incorporate all Mounted Watchmen. This proposal would be approved by the Acting Secretary on November 12, 1918. However, implementation wouldn't occur until 1924 after several years of interdepartmental meetings and once funding was received (pg 240). In one of the earliest references to a Border Patrol intelligence unit, the District Director of the Detroit District wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General on November 3, 1925, concerning the excellent results of a sub-district's "so-called "Intelligence Division". Line of Duty Death anniversary David N. Webb Date of Birth: November 24, 1970 Entered on Duty: February 23, 2004 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 3, 2006 Details: On November 3, 2006, Border Patrol Agent David N. Webb was enroute to his normal patrol duties on the Tohono O’odham Nation within the Ajo Station Area of Responsibility. At approximately 5:18 p.m., Agent Webb was involved in a single vehicle accident. Border Patrol Agents working nearby responded to assist Police and emergency medical services personnel at the scene of the accident. Agent Webb did not survive the injuries sustained from the accident. Agent Webb was 36 years old and was a graduate of the 580th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He served his country as a member of the 186th Infantry in the Oregon Army National Guard, where he saw service in the Sinai Desert as a member of a United Nations Peace Keeping Force from May 2002 to February 2003. Burial Details Unknown November 4 On November 4, 1925, a vender wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General concerning Border Patrol and Immigrant Inspector uniforms. November 4, 1940, “The issuance of new Patrol Inspector badges with the Department of Justice seal begins.”
The shoulder epaulets for the supervisory corps of the U.S. Border Patrol would see a redesign in 1992. The redesign would be a complete change of the center design and eagle top from that worn for the last five decades. Gone was the IMMIGRATION BORDER PATROL lettering replaced with BORDER PATROL... On November 4, 1992, Michael Williams, Chief, U.S. Border Patrol, would issue a memorandum on Uniform Insignia Policy, which would spell out the new requirements and reenforce the placement of insignia on the U.S. Border Patrol uniform. The memorandum would also address the changes to the Administrative Manual to reflect the revised insignia. Of interest is that the memorandum was issued from Headquarters Border Patrol (HQBOR) reflecting the change from Central Office – Office of Border Patrol (COBOR) as part of the INS reorganization.
November 5 On November 5, 1998, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry finalized the specification sheets for the USBP flag and USBP Pennant. Line of Duty Death anniversary Anibal A. Perez Entered on Duty: June 26, 2006 Title: Supervisory Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 5, 2021 Details: Agent Perez entered on duty on June 26, 2006, as part of the 625th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Ajo Station in the Tucson 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 Fawna; children: Isabella, Andre, and Milan; parents: Anibal and Dora; and sister: Tara. Cremated November 6 On November 6, 1998, Chief of the Border Patrol Gustavo De La Viña (1939-2009), signed a memo providing clarity concerning the U.S. Border Patrol Uniform. The memo addressed items such as:
November 7 Line of Duty Death anniversary John Charles Gigax - Unrecognized but Unforgotten Date of Birth: June 1, 1972 Entered on Duty: March 17, 1997 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 7, 1999 Details: Border Patrol Agent John Gigax was killed in an automobile crash while he was travelling from a temporary assignment in Washington, DC. Agent Gigax, who was stationed in Laredo, Texas, was driving on I-95, near Doswell, when his department Jeep Cherokee veered off the road and struck the rear of a car carrier parked on the shoulder in Hanover County, Virginia. The Jeep's momentum caused it go over the cab of truck, landing head-first on the pavement. The Jeep broke apart upon impact with the ground, killing Agent Gigax instantly. Agent Gigax had served with the United States Border Patrol for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents. Gravesite
November 8 On November 8, 1918, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol, Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) submitted his final proposal for the creation of the Border Patrol which was then sent to the Department of Labor for approval. In this proposal, Berkshire was instructed to submit absolute minimums. He proposed a force of 264 Border Patrolmen for the southern border which, would absorb all Mounted Watchmen.
On November 8, 1940, both the Grand Forks and Spokane Districts sent memorandums to the Central Office (INS HQ) requesting new construction for sub-district (sector) headquarters. The Grand Forks request included diagrams of the proposed facility. The Spokane District request was signed by the Chief Patrol Inspectors of the Bonners Ferry and Havre Sub-districts. November 9
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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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