This Week in USBP History, Vol. 86

April 23 - April 29

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INTRO

Good morning,

Welcome to another This Week in USBP History! ​
​
My primary goal in writing these blog posts is to present information that not only boosts employee morale and organizational pride within the current workforce, but also engages the broader audience. Often, in these introductory sections, I highlight areas that require attention, all with the main objective of benefiting the Patrol's workforce. At times, I delve into historical perspectives or provide evidence supporting better practices. Today, however, will be slightly different.

Instead of building a case, I'd like to share an email I sent to the CBP Survivor Advocate on April 18th last week. That day marked the anniversaries of the line-of-duty deaths of Joe White and Jose Barraza. Their tragic ends were not the result of gunfire or a desperate attempt to save someone's life, but they wore the same uniform and badge as the rest of us, past and present. I'm grateful that their names are eternally inscribed on the CBP Valor Memorial and the USBP Honor Roll book. Their deaths share similarities with at least two others, and possibly many more.

​Still passionate even after nearly two years of retirement, I sent the email below, fueled by the determination to make a difference. I don't know if it will have an impact, but I believe that if I continue taking shots, eventually, I'll make a basket...

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The recently introduced CBP Survivor Medallion and lapel pin are bestowed upon families of fallen CBP personnel to honor their memory.

The Email

Dear CBP Survivor Advocate,

I am writing to urgently address the current CBP Line of Duty Death Directive, which differentiates between employees dying on duty and those who die in the line of duty. This distinction has led to harmful discrepancies, resulting in the exclusion of several deserving individuals from being honored on the CBP Valor Memorial. The current policy not only dishonors the memory of these fallen employees but also negatively impacts the morale of the living members of our workforce. I am requesting your immediate attention and action on this pressing issue.

To highlight the discrepancies, I would like to draw your attention to the following comparisons:

• Comparing Agent John Charles Gigax and Agent Jose Daniel Barraza:
  • Agent Barraza is commemorated on the CBP Valor Memorial for his tragic passing while driving home after a midnight shift. On the other hand, Agent Gigax's death occurred in a government vehicle while on detail, which was considered on duty. Although Chief Patrol Agent John Montoya had his name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, CBP and the USBP have yet to recognize his loss within their own memorials.
• Comparing Agent Joe R. White and Agent Alan Aurigema:
  • Agent White is honored on the CBP Valor Memorial for his tragic passing due to a heart attack while working at a checkpoint. In contrast, Agent Aurigema passed away from a coronary blockage while on duty, but his name remains absent from any memorial, causing feelings of frustration and injustice among fellow agents and their families.
  • It's essential to convey the sentiments of the current workforce regarding the tragic passing of Agent Aurigema: "He lost his life while in uniform, on duty, and in a marked vehicle. It took three agonizing hours to locate his body. Yet, these circumstances are still deemed insufficient to honor his memory."

Additionally, Border Patrol Pilot Howard H. Gay's death, despite being posthumously awarded the prestigious Newton-Azrak Award for his off-duty actions, has not been recognized.

These examples underscore the need for immediate action to revise the CBP Line of Duty Death Directive to eliminate harmful discrepancies and promote fairness and inclusivity. As the CBP Survivor Advocate, your involvement is essential in championing this necessary change.

Further, given the recent Partnership for Public Service report that ranks CBP in the bottom 3% of subcomponent agencies (419 out of 432) for employee satisfaction, it is crucial to consider how equity and expectancy theories play a vital role in employee motivation and satisfaction. 

Equity theory suggests that employees will be motivated when they perceive fairness in the workplace, particularly in terms of recognition and rewards. By adopting a more inclusive policy for recognizing line-of-duty deaths, CBP can promote a sense of equity among its workforce, fostering a positive work environment and boosting morale. 

Expectancy theory posits that employees will be motivated when they believe their efforts will result in meaningful outcomes, such as recognition and support from the organization. A revised policy that honors a wider range of employee deaths will demonstrate to the workforce that their sacrifices are valued and will not be forgotten, enhancing their motivation and commitment to the organization.

I kindly request that you take the following actions:

1. Advocate for the elimination of the distinction between on-duty and in-the-line-of-duty deaths, recognizing that both types of losses involve agents who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
2. Engage with CBP and USBP decision-makers, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties to revise the current policy, ensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive recognition process.
3. Ensure that families of fallen agents, including those of Agent Gigax, Agent Aurigema, and Pilot Gay, receive appropriate financial, emotional, and logistical support as soon as possible.

Your immediate attention and action on this matter can make a significant difference in rectifying the current policy and honoring the sacrifices of all agents who have given their lives while serving their country. The cost to the government is minimal—etching a name on a glass panel—yet the impact on the morale and spirit of the agency is immeasurable.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and the opportunity to engage in further dialogue on this crucial issue. Together, we can ensure that the memory of these fallen heroes is properly honored, and their families receive the support and recognition they deserve.

Respectfully,
Clifford Gill

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This week, we'll explore the U.S. Border Patrol's history, beginning with Frank Berkshire's 1918 proposal to establish an "Immigration Patrol Service on the land boundaries". We'll also dive into the evolution of uniforms in the 1920s and 1930s, including the shift from riding breeches to pants, the establishment of the Border Patrol Pistol Team's uniform in 1952, and finally, the design of the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard Device in 1999. Join us as we uncover these fascinating stories and much more!

​We celebrate nine Newton-Azrak Award recipients on the anniversaries of their actions.

​We remember Patrol Inspector William W. McKee on the anniversary of his death.

Enjoy and have a great week!

​Cliff
PS - 

• 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 cliff@honorfirst.com).
• 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.

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​ESPRIT DE CORPS

The workplace climate resulting from a combination of organizational pride and employee morale.

• Organizational pride is the positive feeling experienced by employees from being part of a meaningful team that is rich in history, tradition and culture.
• Employee morale is the feeling experienced by employee based in part on their perception of:
  • Being valued by the organization,
  • Fairly compensated, and
  • Performing meaningful work.

 
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.

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THROWBACK PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Captured just fifteen years ago, this photo holds historical significance as the inaugural snapshot of the newly established U.S. Border Patrol Pipes and Drums. The ensemble was formed in July 2007, following the dissolution of the USBP National Bagpipe Team and sector pipe bands from Tucson, Del Rio, Laredo, and Rio Grande Valley.

Taken at the 2008 George Washington Parade in Laredo, Texas, the image documents the band's first public performance and the debut of the group's combined talents. Notably, the uniforms in the photo were mismatched, as official uniform items were still being purchased and received at the time. This event served as a rehearsal for their subsequent participation in the Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade the following month. Ever since its first appearance, the Pipes and Drums has continued to represent the Patrol with distinction at various engagements, now sporting fully matched and official uniforms.

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DOCUMENTS AND EVENTS

1918

• On April 29, 1918, after numerous discussions with the Commissioner-General, future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934) submitted a 9-page "Proposal to Establish an Immigration Patrol Service on the Land Boundaries."  This was his first proposal which recommended that a force of 1,608 men would be necessary to patrol the border.  The plan suggested patrolmen should be paid between $900 to $1,500 per year dependent upon whether the government provided a horse and equipment.  As the Supervising Inspector of the Mexican Border, his plan did not include staffing estimates for the Northern Border.  In addition, no records have been located to indicate a similar Supervising Inspector existed for the Canadian Border.
• On April 30, 1918, after having received Berkshire's Proposal to Establish an Immigration Service on the Land Boundaries a day earlier, the Commissioner-General wrote a 5-page letter to the Secretary of the Department of Labor.  The letter was to provide the Secretary information should he wish to bring the matter before the cabinet meeting that was scheduled to occur that day.  Further, and absent from Berkshire's proposal, the Commissioner-General provided that this initiative may be appropriate in dealing with the threat of German activity originating from Mexico:
  • ...Since the United States entered the war, although every government agency has cooperated and worked the best of its ability, it has been impossible adequately to control the passage of persons back and forth across the Mexican boundary. That information of military value has constantly been carried into Mexico and that the various laws having in view the protection of the United States against the machinations of the enemy have been extensively and repeatedly violated in that quarter has been demonstrated in many ways...

1924

• On April 30, 1924, the Action Commissioner-General sent a memo to the 11 immigration districts that were adjacent to the borders of the United States.  The memo indicated that funding was expected to be approved in the amount "...to effectively put a stop to all smuggling operations along the land boundaries..."  The memo instructed to the district heads to respond by telegram with the number of "guards or patrolmen" each district wished to receive.  They were instructed to follow the telegram with a written, more detailed response.  The memo also contains the telegram responses.
  • When I was conducting research at the National Archives, I assumed that there must have been a plan in existence to implement once funding was received to create the USBP.  The memo above and the corresponding telegrams clearly demonstrate that no such plan existed a mere three weeks before funding would be received.
  • Interestingly, once created and until 1941, the Border Patrol had more inspectors assigned to the northern border than to the southern border.  This occurred even though the southern border had requested staffing levels three times greater than that of the northern border. Some my say that a greater number of inspectors were placed on the northern border in response to the ratification of the 18th Amendment and the passage of the Volstead Act, Prohibition. Further, many sources cite that the Border Patrol was created in response to Prohibition.  However, no official Immigration Service documents have been discovered in the National Archives that support that popular claim. 

1927

• On April 26, 1927, Acting Commissioner-General George Harris (1876-1941) wrote a memo​ concerning a change to the uniform of Border Patrol Inspectors and Immigrant Inspectors.
  • The USBP's original uniform policy, General Order 42 (December 11, 1924), specified sleeves, "To be fitted with blue cloth cuff, pointed in center, 4" on each side and 6" on point", similar to Harris' memo.  However, Harris' memo added blue shoulder straps.
  • It should be noted that George Harris was one of two people appointed to be Supervisor, Border Patrol (Chief of the Border Patrol), in 1926 when General Order 61 (GO61) was implemented.  Harris worked in the City of El Paso.  Ruel Davenport was the other Chief of the Border Patrol and worked in the City of Detroit.

1928

• On April 25, 1928, Assistant Superintendent L. Antonio Bonazzi (1890-1950) wrote a report to the Commissioner of Immigration for Montreal District (Patrol District #1) concerning sub-district #1.  Sub-district #1, modern day Houlton Sector, contained stations in Calais, Vanceboro, and Houlton. The report also proposed a substation at Van Buren, Maine. This document from December 12, 1929 shows that the Montreal District was comprised of the following sub-districts; Houlton, Rouses Point, Newport, and Messena. 
  • The position of Assistant Superintendent was created by GO61​ in 1926 and was the highest uniformed rank in the USBP.  There was one Assistant Superintendent assigned per district.  They were the immediate supervisors of Chief Patrol Inspectors.
  • The nomenclature of the time may be confusing.  The Border Patrol was created in 1924 under the Department of Labor, becoming part of the Bureau of Immigration.  Under the Bureau was the Immigration Service which was decentralized and divided the United States into 35 immigration districts.  Many districts were divided into sub-districts.  In 1924, eleven districts and their 32 sub-districts were located along the international boundaries and received new Border Patrol employees.  A district located along the border was also known as a "Patrol District". Throughout the decades, the sub-districts would evolve to become the modern day Sectors.  Therefore, the USBP began not with two but with 32 "Sectors."​ 

1930

• On April 24, 1930, El Paso District Director  Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951) wrote an 11-page memo in response to the Commissioner-General's request to provide his opinion concerning H.R. 11204 Border Patrol Act, 1930. 
  • H.R. 11204 would have expanded the U.S. Coast Guard by creating a border patrol within it, including enlisted personnel, warrant officers and 60 commissioned officers to lead it.  Once created, the President was authorized to discontinue the Customs Border Patrol and the Immigration Border Patrol.  Therefore, this proposed USCG border patrol was not going to absorb the other patrols, but was to take their place.
  • Wilmoth never writes that he was against H.R. 11204.  However, it is clear that he did not support it.
  • Wilmoth provided a detailed description of the the sub-districts that comprised the El Paso District, which correspond to modern-day Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sectors.
  • Additionally, on page 7, Wilmoth indicates that some form official training was being conducted in the El Paso District in 1930 by stating:
    • Classes of instruction are held for the discussion of various questions arising under the several subjects enumerated...​

1931

• On April 29, 1931, Chief Patrol Inspector Herbert Horsley (1878-1962) of the El Paso Sub-district wrote a report to the District Director of the El Paso District concerning a gunfight in which three Border Patrol Inspectors had been involved on the night of April 24, 1931.  The inspectors had intercepted three alcohol smugglers, one of which opened fire on the inspectors.  All inspectors returned fire and the smugglers fled to Mexico.  Shortly thereafter, the inspectors receive rifle fire from Mexico.  All three inspectors returned fire.  No injuries were reported in the exchange of gunfire.

1932

• On April 25, 1932, the Commissioner-General issued a memo concerning the position of Assistant Superintendents.  This memo was most likely related to the short-lived two border district initiative.
  • ​In 1932 GO61 was superseded with two other General Orders which created the two Border Districts and the title of the position of Supervisor of the Border Patrol was changed to Director, Border Patrol:
    • General Order 183 - which created the Director of the Border Patrol for the Mexican Border, Gulf and Florida immigration districts.  The district was headquartered in El Paso and George Harris came back to be the "Chief" for a nonconsecutive term.
    • General Order 184 - which created the Director of the Canadian Border District.  The district was headquartered in Detroit and  future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), became the third person to be "Chief" of the Border Patrol.
    • The two border district approach was very short-lived, beginning in 1932 and ending in 1933 when GO183 and GO184 were superseded with General Order 203 which reinstated GO61 effective June 1, 1933. 

1934

• On April 26, 1934, a memo was written to the Commissioner-General recommending a change in the USBP uniform, discontinuing riding breeches for pants.
  • For the Border Patrol's first decade, riding breaches were the pants of the uniform.  That started to change in 1934 when regular pants received authorization.  See this 1934 document written by the Chief Patrol Inspector of the Tucson Sub-district.  It also includes the earliest photo of which I am aware of a "rough duty" uniform. By the August of 1934, Inspectors on the southwest border would be authorized to wear pants instead of riding breaches (at their own cost).

1942

• On April 28, 1942, the INS issued Instruction No. 5, Instructions Concerning the Treatment of Alien Enemy Detainees. The purpose of this directive was to consolidate all previous instructions on treatment of enemy aliens into a comprehensive order and to ensure that all Service employees were aware of them. A key provision of this directive was stated as:
  • ​The minimum standards of treatment which have been established and which must prevail throughout the Service are based upon the provisions of the Convention Between the United States of America and forty-six other Powers (including those with whom this nation is now at war) Relating to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Treaty Series No. 846), known generally as the Geneva Convention of 1929. The Government of the United States has agreed with the belligerent powers to apply these provisions to civilian alien enemy internees wherever applicable. Copies of the Geneva Convention have heretofore been supplied to the various districts.
  • In this connection it should be kept in mind that the basis underlying our treatment of alien enemy detainees is reciprocity, and that nothing must be done or permitted to be done whereby any ground may exist for the charge that the Geneva Convention has been violated or ignored, thereby providing an excuse under the guise of retaliation for harsh treatment and cruel abuse of nationals of this country in the hands of our enemies.
  • ​From - HONOR FIRST:  The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco

1952

• On April 24, 1952, Chief of the Border Patrol Harlon Carter (1913-1991​) wrote a memo defining the uniform for the Border Patrol Pistol Team. Two other interesting items in the memo:
  • The "4930 Deal Drive" appears to be a location in Oxen Hill, MD, not in Washington DC.  
  • The bottom of the memo has 9 names which appear to identify the members of the team.

1955

• On April 29, 1955, Paul Kester "Bing" Crosby (1910-1965), wrote a paper concerning the USBP recruiting efforts covering March 1953 - December 1954.  During that time frame, 43,809 applications were received and only 467 trainees entered on duty (1.065%).

1999

• On April 26, 1999, the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry finalized the spec sheets for the design of the U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard Device.

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NEWTON-AZRAK AWARD
​ACTION ANNIVERSARIES

Follow this link to see examples of USBP employees Upholding Honor First.

• An organization’s values are codified in its awards system. Recognizing the achievements, service and heroism of employees is important.  It is critical for those in positions of leadership to value the workforce.  Awards are a fundamental manner for leaders to demonstrate appreciation to the workforce for upholding the organizational values. – U.S. Border Patrol Honorary Awards

The USBP Newton-Azrak Award Scroll

1983

Douglas G. Roy
Border Patrol Agent
El Centro Sector
Border Patrol Agent Douglas G. Roy was recognized for his courageous actions in saving the lives of persons involved in a fiery collision of a tractor-trailer and a parked Border Patrol vehicle.  On April 25, 1983, he personally extricated the driver of the overturned tractor-trailer and moved him to safety.  He also extinguished the flames that engulfed a passenger in the Border Patrol vehicle, at risk to his own safety.


1992

Johnny Magdaleno
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
Brendan Manley
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
Armando Ornelas
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
Robert Pittenridge
Border Patrol Agent
Yuma Sector
On April 23, 1992, Border Patrol Agents Magdaleno, Ornelas, Pittenridge, and Manley rescued four youths who were trapped in a vehicle that had crashed and become engulfed in flames.
 
Agents Magdaleno and Ornelas commenced pursuit of a vehicle that ran the traffic checkpoint.  The pursuit came to an abrupt end when the driver attempted to exit at an off-ramp, crashed through the guardrail, became airborne off the embankments, and crashed to the desert floor.  Upon arrival at the scene, the two Agents observed the engine on fire and the youths in a heap in the back seat, injured and trapped, crying for help.  They called for an ambulance, ran to the vehicle, and began attempting to extricate them.   The impact of the crash had jammed the doors shut and they were locked into position.  The fire was rapidly spreading to the interior of the vehicle.  Agent Ornelas physically tore the left front door from the vehicle, thereby exposing the passenger compartment.  Two persons were quickly removed and carried a short distance to safety.
 
When Agent Pittenridge arrived on the scene, he immediately ran to the vehicle to assist in the extrication of the remaining occupants, ignoring the flames that had now engulfed the entire front end of the vehicle.
 
Agent Manley now arrived at the scene, assessed the situation, radioed for an ambulance and fire truck, grabbed his fire extinguisher, and ran to the vehicle.  One more passenger had been removed to safety.  Two agents were in the vehicle attempting to remove the fourth passenger and the other agent was reaching into the vehicle trying to undo the tangled seat belts.  At this point, the flames were extremely close to the remaining occupant and the three agents.  Agent Manley attempted to extinguish the fire and was successful in temporarily beating back the flames as the agents feverishly worked at removing the fourth victim.
 
After the successful extrication of the victims, the agents removed the victims from the close proximity of the now totally engulfed vehicle and administered first aid until rescue personnel arrived.  Without the actions of all four agents, the successful rescue of the youths would not have been accomplished.


2015

Fernando Galvan, Jr. - ​photo
Border Patrol Agent
Edinburg, TX
Arturo Gutierrez - ​photo
Border Patrol Agent
Edinburg, TX 
On April 29, 2015, while patrolling the Rio Grande River near La Paloma, Texas, Border Patrol Agents Fernando Galvan and Arturo Gutierrez received a report of drug smugglers in a minivan moving a large load of narcotics north from the Mexico-United States border. 
 
Gutierrez discovered the minivan at a nearby intersection where it was off the road and wrecked. When the agents approached the scene they observed flames coming from under the vehicle. The agents removed one unresponsive adult male from the wreck and called for emergency medical services and local law enforcement for support. While Galvan and Gutierrez tried to extinguish the fire, now beginning to engulf the minivan, they discovered an unresponsive man inside the smoke-filled van. 
 
Unable to put out the fire, they recognized the person inside the minivan was in imminent danger. Galvan and Gutierrez quickly entered the flaming vehicle, and removed the crash victim just in time. Once the agents pulled the man from the minivan, the front end of the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames. They placed both subjects a safe distance from the burning vehicle who ultimately survived.


2021

Kent L. Carroll
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
In the early morning hours of April 26, 2020, Border Patrol Agent Kent Carroll was in a carpool travelling on Interstate 15 with two other agents when they witnessed a major two vehicle accident. One car had struck a guardrail and erupted into flames. Without hesitation, the agents jumped into action. Agent Carroll and a third agent jumped over the center divider and ran across the interstate. Agent Carroll utilized his emergency medical technician skills and checked on the driver of one car to evaluate potential injuries. The third agent was at the second vehicle which was completely engulfed in flames. Beyond the call of duty and facing grave danger, Agent Carroll approached the vehicle to assist as one of the victims attempted to escape the inferno. As the victim began to collapse, Agent Carroll and a third agent caught him and assisted him to safety. Agent Carroll’s actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.
 
Francisco F. Gonzales
Border Patrol Agent
San Diego, CA
In the early morning hours of April 26, 2020, Border Patrol Agent Francisco Gonzales was in a carpool travelling on Interstate 15 with two other agents when they witnessed a major vehicle accident. One car had struck a guardrail and erupted into flames. Without hesitation, the agents jumped into action. Agent Gonzales instructed another agent to call 911. Agent Gonzales and a third agent then jumped over the center divider and ran across the interstate to the flaming vehicle. Agent Gonzales saw that the driver and passenger were on fire. Beyond the call of duty and facing grave danger, Agent Gonzales approached the vehicle and opened the door. The sudden burst of heat forced Agent Gonzales back but allowed one of the victims to escape the inferno. As the victim began to collapse, Agent Gonzales and a third agent caught him and assisted him to safety. Agent Gonzales’ actions brought great credit upon himself and the United States Border Patrol.

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U.S. BORDER PATROL FALLEN 
ANNIVERSARIES

U.S. Border Patrol Badge with a Mourning Band

As of March 6, 2023 the U.S. Border Patrol has suffered 154* fallen.
Titles

• 3 Mounted Watchmen fell before 1924 and are carried as Border Patrol fallen
• 49 Border Patrol Inspectors fell between 1924 and 1970
• 101 Border Patrol Agents have fallen since 1970
• 1 Enforcement Analysis Specialist

​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:

• National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial (see this link),
• Officer Down memorial Page (see this link), and
• Texas Peace Officer's Memorial (see this link).

 
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.

Agent Gigax is buried in Florida's 5th Congressional District.  I contacted Congressman John Rutherford for assistance in this case.  Please contact the Congressman Rutherford if you would like to help.

Fallen Border Patrol Agent John Charles Gigax's tombstone. Fallen Border Patrol Agent Jason C. Panides' tombstone is in the background.

1926

William W. McKee
Date of Birth:                      July 3, 1886
Entered on Duty:                February 27, 1926
Title:                                     Patrol Inspector
End of Watch:                     April 23, 1926

Details:
On April 23, 1926, information was received that a liquor pack train had left Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for the United States and on that date would be at or near the Alhambre Ranch about 40 miles southwest of Tucson, Arizona. Near the ranch, officers of the Border Patrol saw such a pack train, and in an attempt to capture it, Patrol Inspector McKee was shot and killed at the wheel of a patrol car. The smugglers fired from ambush while being pursued by Inspector McKee. The smuggler responsible for killing Inspector McKee was later convicted of first-degree murder.
 
Survivor benefits - As per this document, his wife received $49 per month.

Gravesite