November 10 - November 16Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we look back on November 11, 1924, when the El Paso Border Patrol Sub-District participated in the city’s Annual Armistice Day Parade. Agents made their public debut in new uniforms, riding horses borrowed from the Seventh Cavalry at Fort Bliss. This early display of the Border Patrol’s identity was featured in newspapers across the country, marking one of the first public glimpses of the Patrol in uniform, a month before the official issuance of General Order No. 42, the Patrol’s first uniform policy. We also reflect on the final proposal for creating the Border Patrol, submitted by Frank Berkshire, the “Father of the Border Patrol,” on November 12, 1918. Berkshire’s proposal for a force of 264 inspectors for the southern border was approved, although the official creation of the Patrol would come in 1924 after additional planning and funding. Additionally, we look back to November 14, 1960, when Border Patrol Inspectors assisted U.S. Marshals in New Orleans by providing security during the desegregation of public schools. The agents protected African American students as they attended previously segregated schools, following the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling. This week, we also honor three of the Patrol's fallen: Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz, who tragically passed on November 14, 2023; Patrol Inspector Trainee James M. Kirchner, who lost his life on November 15, 1954; and Border Patrol Agent David Gomez, who passed on November 16, 2016. Their commitment to the mission and ultimate sacrifices remain honored and remembered by the Border Patrol community. Join us in the blog as we explore these stories and more, capturing the dedication and evolution that 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 MILESTONESNovember 10
November 11 On November 11th, 1924, a month prior to the issuance of General Order No. 42, the El Paso Border Patrol Sub-District participated in the City of El Paso’s Annual Armistice Day Parade in their new uniforms and riding on horses borrowed from the Seventh Cavalry at Fort Bliss. The U.S. Border Patrol’s participation in the parade was highlighted in many newspapers across the southern border and a few major cities across the country. The picture shown was posted in many of those publications highlighting the new U.S. Border Patrol.
November 12 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 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.
November 13 On November 13, 1940, the Los Angeles District Director sent a memorandum to the Central Office requesting new construction for the Chula Vista and El Centro Sub-districts (to build new sub-district HQ's). On November 13, 1989, Joint Task Force Six (JTF-6), a multi-service command, was established at Fort Bliss to assist Operation Alliance by coordinating military support for law enforcement counter-drug operations.
November 13, 1989, “The Border Patrol Special Coordination Center (BPSCC) is established on Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas, providing headquarters and the field with information on available military support for the border, assisting in drafting support requests, and managing the Logistic Support Center (LSC). The LSC would be responsible for acquisition and disposal of excess government equipment similar to a Defense Reutilization Marking Office (DRMO). The focus of the LSC would be the acquisition and distribution of field gear and emergency relief supplies to the field.”
November 14 On November 14, 1918, George Harris (1876-1941), who would go on to serve two non-consecutive terms as the "Chief of the Border Patrol", wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General stating that officers should have greater discretion concerning pursuing criminal charges against those who violated the Passport Act and regulations.
November 14, 1960, “Border Patrol Inspectors assigned to the New Orleans Sector assisted the U.S. Marshal Service in protecting Leona Tate, Ruby Bridges, Tessie Provost and Gail Etienne as they attended elementary school in New Orleans enforcing the Supreme Court affirmation of Brown v. Board of Education ruling desegregating schools under the 14th Amendment allowing black children to attend all-white schools. Patrol Inspectors escorted the children to and from their homes and to two elementary schools. The escorts continued for a year with three to four U.S. Marshals/Border Patrol Inspectors assigned to each school.”
Line of Duty Death anniversary Freddy Ortiz Date of Birth: September 10, 1979 Entered on Duty: September 6, 2010 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 14, 2023 Details Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz, a member of the 948th Session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, joined on September 6, 2010, and served at the Tucson Sector's Douglas Station. Before his service with the Border Patrol, he served in the U.S. Navy and continued his commitment in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Agent Ortiz was killed in the line of duty on November 14, 2023. He died in an ATV crash in Douglas, Arizona, while responding to reports of undocumented immigrants near Chino Road and 5th Street. His ATV struck a utility pole along International Drive and overturned, resulting in fatal injuries. He is survived by his mother, Irma; stepfather, Victor; partner, Crystal; and a wide network of family, friends, and colleagues. The Border Patrol community mourns his loss and honors his dedication and sacrifice. Cremated November 15 Line of Duty Death anniversary James M. Kirchner Date of Birth: December 15, 1931 Entered on Duty: November 3, 1954 Title: Patrol Inspector (Trainee) End of Watch: November 15, 1954 Details: While waiting to attend a training session at the Border Patrol Academy that was scheduled to commence in December, Trainee Kirchner and other new appointees were assigned to work with older and more experienced officers in and around El Paso. On November 15, 1954, Trainee Kirchner was assigned to work the 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with Inspector Dove. Trainee Kirchner saw three persons coming from the direction of Mexico. The persons were up in the hills and estimated to be about 1/2 mile away. Inspector Dove and Trainee Kirchner proceeded on foot, separating. Inspector Dove intercepted the suspects and determined that they were of Mexican extraction and citizens of the United States. Trainee Kirchner was observed near the top of the hill and instructed, through hand signals, to return. During the descent, Trainee Kirchner was out of the view of Inspector Dove. When Trainee Kirchner did not return in a reasonable time and did not respond to being called, Inspector Dove began searching for him. Trainee Kirchner was found slumped to the ground, face forward. After a hurried examination, Inspector Dove applied artificial respiration in an effort to revive Trainee Kirchner but was unsuccessful. Leaving one of the citizens with the body. Inspector Dove went to the McNutt Oil Refinery and called Border Patrol Headquarters. He then returned to the scene and waited until Trainee Kirchner's body was removed. Gravesite On November 15, 1956, what is believed to be the USBP's 4th uniform policy was enacted. It is believed that another policy which has never been located was issued in the 1940s. This policy included:
November 16 On November 16, 1905, Jefferson Davis Milton (1861-1947) was permanently appointed as a Chinese Inspector by the Assistant Secretary of Labor (his original appointment was in 1904).
Line of Duty Death anniversary David Gomez Date of Birth November 7, 1972 Entered on Duty: February 12, 1996 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: November 16, 2016 Details: On November 15, 2016, Agent Gomez suffered a heart attack while on bicycle patrol duty near El Paso, Texas. He subsequently passed away at a local hospital on November 16, 2016. Border Patrol Agent Gomez was assigned to the El Paso Station of the El Paso Sector. He entered on duty on February 12, 1996, as a member of Border Patrol Academy Class 299. He is survived by his wife, three children and parents. Gravesit
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
December 2024
I prefer that you leave comments. However, if you wish to contact me, please do so by emailing [email protected].
|
RSS Feed
