December 22 - December 28Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! This week, we delve into pivotal moments that highlight the bravery and dedication of the U.S. Border Patrol, as well as its historical evolution. On December 22, 1934, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard Kelly initiated a nationwide discussion about standardized training, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. His efforts marked a significant milestone in the professionalization of the Patrol. We also reflect on the events of December 23, 1944, when Border Patrol Inspectors played a key role in tracking and apprehending escaped German POWs during the Great Papago Escape—the largest POW escape in U.S. history. This remarkable display of skill and coordination underscored the Patrol’s critical contributions to national security during World War II. This week, we honor the lives and sacrifices of three fallen heroes. On December 25, 1928, Patrol Inspector Robert H. Lobdell was tragically shot and killed while apprehending a suspected illegal entrant near Roseau, Minnesota. On December 27, 1933, Patrol Inspector Bert G. Walthall was killed in a gunfight with smugglers near El Paso, Texas, while his courageous actions protected his fellow agents. Lastly, on December 28, 1940, Patrol Inspector George E. Pringle lost his life in a vehicle accident caused by a tire blowout while patrolling near Parker, Arizona. Their sacrifices serve as solemn reminders of the risks faced daily by those who protect our borders. Join us in this week’s blog as we explore these significant events, the enduring legacy of service, and the ultimate sacrifices that define the U.S. Border Patrol’s proud history. 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 MILESTONESDecember 22
Earliest known reference to create a Border Patrol Academy
December 23 On December 23, 1944, Patrol Inspectors Bucky Newsome, Salty Shreve, and Rex Holgerson were alerted to an escape from the Papago Park POW Camp in Arizona. It was the largest POW escape in the U.S. and became known as the Great Papago Escape, drawing attention of the FBI to the lack security at Army-controlled POW camps. Twenty-five German POWs had dug a 178- foot tunnel from a bathhouse that extended under the two barbed wire fences, a road, and into the Arizona Crosscut Canal. The Patrol Inspectors assisted the U.S. Army and tracked several of the escaping Germans, finding them in the desert near Sells, 60 miles west of Nogales. Two more were found by Patrol Inspectors within 10 miles of the border with Mexico. All 25 POWs were eventually captured, the last of whom were caught 35 days after leaving the camp.
Line of Duty Death anniversary Luis O. Peña Jr. Date of Birth: July 16, 1977 Entered on Duty: January 27, 2003 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: December 23, 2019 Details: On December 23, 2019, Border Patrol Agent Luis O. Peña Jr. succumbed to complications related to significant injuries he received from a vehicle accident (roll over) on the Tohono O’odham Nation on October 18, 2007. BPA Peña was medically retired on October 8, 2010. Agent Peña entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on January 27, 2003, as a member of the 538th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation. Agent Peña served with the United States Border Patrol for over seven years. December 24 On December 24, 1952, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (P.L. 414, 66 Stat. 163) became effective. The new statute, simply referred to as the INA, was crafted to be an all-inclusive immigration and naturalization law by combining, updating, and codifying all previous laws pertaining to “Aliens and Nationality” under Title 8 of the U.S. Code.
December 25 Line of Duty Death anniversary Robert H. Lobdell Date of Birth: May 15, 1898 Entered on Duty: June 16, 1928 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 25, 1928 Details: Patrol Inspector Lobdell was shot and killed instantly on the night of December 25, 1928, near Roseau, Minnesota, by an individual who was suspected of being an alien entering the United States illegally. Inspector Lobdell was shot while he was attempting to get the individual into the patrol car for transportation to Warroad, Minnesota. The murderer was apprehended the following day, but he denied his guilt and steadfastly refused to make any statement that would reveal his past history. He was later convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary at Stillwater, Minnesota. Reportedly, he subsequently corresponded with the judge of the court in which he was tried, confessing that he had killed Patrol Inspector Lobdell. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $52.50 per month. Gravesite December 26
December 27 On December 27, 1927, two Border Patrol Inspectors engaged in a brief gunfight with approximately six suspected alcohol smugglers. After an exchange of about four shots, the smugglers abandoned their load of alcohol which was seized. No injuries were reported. See the report here. The Patrol Inspectors involved in the shooting were:
Line of Duty Death anniversary Bert G. Walthall Date of Birth: February 27, 1900 Entered on Duty: July 31, 1931 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 27, 1933 Historical documents of the shooting - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Details: On the evening of December 27, 1933, Patrol Inspectors Bert G. Walthall, Louis A. Smith, and Curtis D. Mosely were patrolling the international boundary near Cordova Island at El Paso, Texas. Cordova Island is not in fact an island, but Mexican territory left on the north side of the Rio Grande River when the river changed its course. The boundary here was an imaginary line and a person could step across from one country to another. At about 8:45 p.m., the officers noticed two men cross the line with sacks on their backs and depart in a waiting automobile. The officers attempted to stop the car by blowing their horn but the smugglers only increased their speed. After a chase of a couple of blocks, the patrol car overtook the smugglers, who pulled over to the side of the road. Before the patrol car could be stopped, it had arrived alongside the smugglers' car, about ten feet to the left of it. Inspector Mosely was driving, Inspector Walthall was sitting beside him, and Inspector Smith was in the back seat. When the patrol car stopped, Officers Walthall and Smith alighted from the right side. They were met by a blast of rifle fire from the smugglers that instantly killed Inspector Walthall and wounded Inspector Smith. Inspector Mosely had gotten out of the car on the left side and opened fire on the smugglers, whose car was then in motion. Inspector Mosely continued shooting with his rifle and pistol until his weapons were empty and then turned his attention to his fellow officers. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $67.50 per month for her and their child. Gravesite On December 27, 1933, Border Patrol Inspectors Mosely, Smith and Walthall (1900-1933) engaged in a gunfight with smugglers Jose Estrada, Ramon Rice and Fidel Ortega near Cordova Island in El Paso, Texas. During the exchange of gunfire, Inspector Walthall and smuggler Jose Estrada were killed and, Inspector Smith and smugglers Ramon Rice and Fidel Ortega were wounded. Please see the following historic documents that are related to the incident:
On December 27, 1944, Former Chief Patrol Inspector and then current Chief of the Alien Central Division in El Paso, Aubrey Slaughter Hudson (1896-1965) wrote a memo to the El Paso District Director concerning arguments for and against consolidation of the Customs Border Patrol with the Immigration Border Patrol, and for and against a consolidated Border Patrol. His closing paragraph is – “I believe the arguments I have set forth against the consolidation of the Customs Border Patrol with the Immigration Border Patrol will apply as reasons against a consolidation of the both agencies under either the Justice or the Treasury Department.”
At the Tule Lake Segregation Center - Japanese internees calling themselves Hokoku, who shaved their heads and wore sweatshirts emblazed with the rising sun, attempted to militarize the camp population in support of the Japanese war effort. The Hokoku threatened and pressured reluctant internees to become renunciants and pledge allegiance to the emperor and Japan. On December 27, 1944, 41 Patrol Inspectors, reacting to disruptions to camp operations and demonstrations led by Hokoku, arrested and secured 70 men, including 64 Hokoku leaders. They were marched out to the main gate in groups of 10, where they boarded buses and were transferred to the Santa Fe Alien Detention Center.
December 28 Line of Duty Death anniversary George E. Pringle Date of Birth: August 24, 1896 Entered on Duty: June 5, 1936 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: December 28, 1940 Details: During the evening of December 25, 1940, Patrol Inspector George E. Pringle was working alone near Parker, Arizona. He was engaged in conversation with a Special Agent for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, when he indicated he was going to follow a car that had just passed. The vehicle was known to both men as belonging to a group of aliens suspected of illegal activities in connection with the Parker Dam. Inspector Pringle was next observed driving south on Parker Road. Two witnesses indicated the government vehicle being driven by Inspector Pringle veered toward the center of the road and swerved to the right off the roadway overturning several times. Inspector Pringle sustained multiple injuries including contusions of the upper frontal region of the skull and a fracture at the base of the skull. He died of injuries received in the accident on December 28, 1940. Subsequent investigation revealed that the accident occurred as a result of a blow out of the right front tire that was caused by the tire passing over a broken bottle in the roadway. Gravesite On December 28, 1999, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Alejandro N. Mayorkas (who would later become the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security in the Obama Administration and the first DHS Secretary in the Biden Administration) recommended not seeking further review of the Ninth Circuit’s adverse panel decision. The DOJ Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General concurred with “No Rehearing and No Certiorari” thereby keeping Bono a free man.
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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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