January 1 - January 7 Good morning! Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! !!! HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! In beginning the New Year, I want to start week’s newsletter by repeating an answer to a question that was posed to me, “Why do you do this?” That question was in reference to helping Ray Harris manage HonorFirst.com, moderating the Applicant's Forum and Agent’s Forum, regularly contacting some you active folks, and generally remaining very engaged with the U.S. Border Patrol. For example, it takes me hours to create these newsletters, archive them in the blog, and messaging them on social media (and I still don’t catch all of the typos). Here’s the answer... The last three years of my career my motivation for doing the job, and pushing my chain of command was because I cared, in an Honor First and Esprit de Corps sense, for the Patrol and the workforce (uniformed and non-uniformed). Interestingly, in a know thyself moment, I realized that I cared about the workforce more than the work. I cared more about those doing and who had done the job, than the job. That's what keeps me here. That's why I send emails to the active folks, author these newsletters, take daily USBP phone calls/emails, etc... I care because I care about the U.S. Border Patrol and its current and former employees, just like you. I send emails to current leadership and take calls nearly every day, in the belief that I may have just a smidgeon of influence to make the being part of the USBP better for the workforce (past and present). The value to me is intrinsic. It makes me feel good to do good for “them". It makes me feel good when I can right wrongs or merely offer assistance. My approach is pretty transparent. I try to follow the two pillars of Esprit de Corps:
Sometimes, my approach is well received such as the numerous updates to HonorFirst.com and these newsletters. Other times, my approach is sharper when I cast the light on areas in need of improvement such as the 2021 Open Email to Chief Ortiz (I've retired that page) and the perpetual reminder that fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax not being remembered as he should. Before I retired, I had two sayings that I really tried to live by:
In retirement, I like to think that both of those statements still stand true. Thank you for your patience. Now to the update! The week we have two activity reports from the Marine City Sub-district for 1925 and 1926, and one for the New Orleans District from 1929. We have a proposed 1930 El Paso District reorganization map, and the short-lived Border Districts started in 1932. We remember three Newton-Azrak Award recipients on the anniversaries of their actions. We also remember three of our fallen on the anniversaries of their deaths. Happy new year and have a great week! Cliff PS -
Esprit de Corps The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.
Esprit de corps is reinforced through the shared goals, mission and values of the organization and its employees. The definition turns Esprit de Corps into a simple formula and defines parts that comprise organizational pride and employee morale. Esprit de Corps = Organizational Pride + Employee Morale Esprit de Corps is the key to a healthy organization and engaged employees. Honor First is foundational to the Border Patrol's organizational pride and integral to its Esprit de Corps. Documents/Events 1925
Newton-Azrak Award Action Anniversaries Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.
 The USBP Newton-Azrak Award 2022 Raul A. Rodriguez - photo, award certificate, award set Border Patrol Agent Del Rio, TX On January 3, 2021, Border Patrol Agents (BPA) Ruben Castillo and Raul A. Rodriguez placed themselves in harm's way in pursuit of a black Chevy SUV. After and exhaustive pursuit including a deadly force encounter and search through multiple counties with various agencies, resources and personnel in tow, BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez were able to apprehend all of the subjects without further incident. BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez demonstrated heroism in the face of grave danger. The agents' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. Ruben Castillo Border Patrol Agent Del Rio, TX On January 3, 2021, Border Patrol Agents (BPA) Ruben Castillo and Raul A. Rodriguez placed themselves in harm's way in pursuit of a black Chevy SUV. After and exhaustive pursuit including a deadly force encounter and search through multiple counties with various agencies, resources and personnel in tow, BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez were able to apprehend all of the subjects without further incident. BPA Castillo and BPA Rodriguez demonstrated heroism in the face of grave danger. The agents' actions brought great credit upon themselves and the United States Border Patrol. 2021 John P. Marquissee - photo, award set, certificate Border Patrol Agent Westmore, VT On January 5, 2012 at approximately 4:00 PM, off-duty Border Patrol Agent John Marquissee saw a vehicle accident in which a car was overturned and partially submerged in Lake Willoughby near Westmore, VT. Knowing a person was in dire need of help, Agent Marquissee, beyond the call of duty while facing grave danger, entered the partially frozen lake. Once at the vehicle, Agent Marquissee saw that a female victim was trapped in the car. Agent Marquissee then broke out the rear window of the car and helped the victim escape the vehicle. Agent Marquissee took the victim to shore saving her life. Agent Marquissee’s actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.  U.S. Border Patrol Badge with a Mourning Band USBP Fallen As of December 7, 2022, the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 153* fallen. Titles:
The names that appear below hold a place of honor. They have made the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to fulfill the oath each officer took to protect and defend the United States of America. The facts regarding each officer are presented without major editing of the "language of the day" found in the reports detailing the circumstances of each event. This is done to provide the reader an association with historical timeframes. Employees who died in the line of duty due to being exposed to deadly illnesses will not have the cause of death listed. I will note that Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax is not recognized as officially fallen by Customs and Border Protection or the U.S. Border Patrol. The Border Patrol Foundation and the Border Patrol Museum also fail to recognize him. He is remembered by all except organizations containing "Border Patrol" in their title. He is remembered by the:
The U.S. Border Patrol, the Border Patrol Foundation, and the Border Patrol Museum should fix their oversight. HonorFirst.com remembers and lists Agent Gigax among the fallen.  Fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax's tombstone. Fallen Border Patrol Agent Jason C. Panides' tombstone in is the background. 1930
William D. McCalib Date of Birth: December 20, 1895 Entered on Duty: December 4, 1928 Title: Patrol Inspector End of Watch: January 7, 1930 Details: On January 7, 1930, Patrol Inspector McCalib, together with Senior Patrol Inspector West, apprehended Pedro Rendon, at Alice, Texas. Rendon was suspected of being an alien unlawfully in the United States. Rendon claimed that the proprietor of a restaurant in Alice could vouch for him and, accordingly, the officers put Rendon in the back seat of the car and drove to the restaurant. Senior Patrol Inspector West entered the establishment to interview the proprietor while Inspector McCalib remained in the car with Rendon. During West's absence, Rendon drew a pistol and shot McCalib in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Rendon was subdued and taken into custody by Senior Patrol Inspector West. It was later discovered that Rendon, alias Jose Ramirez, was an escaped convict. Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $69.75 per month for her and their child. Upon the death of his wife, his child received $38.75 per month. Gravesite 1985 Manuel Salcido, Jr. Date of Birth: April 25, 1950 Entered on Duty: March 12, 1984 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: January 2, 1985 Details: On January 2, 1985, Agent Salcido was enroute to Del Rio Sector Headquarters and travelling in a seized 1975 Ford sedan. Agent Salcido’s vehicle went out of control on an ice-glazed concrete bridge and was struck broadside on the driver’s side by a southbound vehicle in the southbound lane. The other vehicle was a 1984 Suburban enroute to Eagle Pass, Texas. Agent Salcido was killed and the driver of the second vehicle was hospitalized with head and chest injuries. No other persons were involved in the accident. Gravesite 1995 Jose A. Nava Date of Birth: July 6, 1958 Entered on Duty: January 27, 1987 Title: Border Patrol Agent End of Watch: January 7, 1995 Details: On January 6, 1995, Agent Jose A. Nava was on his way to conduct a train check. He was traveling on Farm Road 1572, 45 miles east of Del Rio, Texas. His Service vehicle struck a deer causing him to lose control. The vehicle overturned several times and Agent Nava was thrown from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:40 a.m. on January 7, 1995. Jose Nava was born in Brownsville, Texas. He began his career with the Border Patrol in El Paso, Texas. On April 9, 1989, he transferred to the Del Rio Sector and was assigned to the Brackettville Station. Gravesite |
