This Week in USBP History
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This week follows the organization from proposals made before its establishment to milestones in leadership, aviation, and training—and remembers four who fell in the line of duty.
The week begins with Frank Berkshire’s efforts to create the Border Patrol and the Inter-Departmental Committee’s October 4, 1922, recommendation supporting its establishment. An early hiring announcement dated October 7, 1924, offers another revealing look at the Patrol’s beginnings: it allowed applications from both men and women and listed no requirement for applicants to furnish their own horse or firearm. Folklore has a place in the Patrol’s traditions, but these records help distinguish remembered stories from documented requirements.
Chief Ruel E. Davenport’s 1927 report examines the young organization’s growing confidence, standards of conduct, and relationship with the public. Later entries include a 1963 aviation incident in which assistance was credited with saving an Air Force pilot’s life, the dedication of Ramey Sector in 1987, and the Charleston Border Patrol Academy’s grand opening in 1996. The week also includes the Patrol’s wartime internment responsibilities, a chapter that calls for careful historical context.
We respectfully remember Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl and Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue, who died in an aircraft crash on October 4, 1973; Border Patrol Agent Robert M. Hotten, whose end of watch was October 6, 2019; and Enforcement Analysis Specialist David H. Gray, whose end of watch was October 8, 2021. Their service, and the loss carried by their families and colleagues, remain part of the history we preserve.
Honor First!
The week begins with Frank Berkshire’s efforts to create the Border Patrol and the Inter-Departmental Committee’s October 4, 1922, recommendation supporting its establishment. An early hiring announcement dated October 7, 1924, offers another revealing look at the Patrol’s beginnings: it allowed applications from both men and women and listed no requirement for applicants to furnish their own horse or firearm. Folklore has a place in the Patrol’s traditions, but these records help distinguish remembered stories from documented requirements.
Chief Ruel E. Davenport’s 1927 report examines the young organization’s growing confidence, standards of conduct, and relationship with the public. Later entries include a 1963 aviation incident in which assistance was credited with saving an Air Force pilot’s life, the dedication of Ramey Sector in 1987, and the Charleston Border Patrol Academy’s grand opening in 1996. The week also includes the Patrol’s wartime internment responsibilities, a chapter that calls for careful historical context.
We respectfully remember Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl and Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue, who died in an aircraft crash on October 4, 1973; Border Patrol Agent Robert M. Hotten, whose end of watch was October 6, 2019; and Enforcement Analysis Specialist David H. Gray, whose end of watch was October 8, 2021. Their service, and the loss carried by their families and colleagues, remain part of the history we preserve.
Honor First!
THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONES
October 4 - October 10
October 4
In 1918, the future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), submitted no less than three proposals to create the Border Patrol. These proposals led to the creation of an Inter-Departmental Committee comprised of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Justice, Labor, and Treasury. After months of meetings and discussions, on October 4, 1922, the Inter-Departmental Committee recommended the creation of the Border Patrol.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Friedrich Karl
Date of Birth: July 15, 1923
Entered on Duty: May 2, 1955
Title: Airplane Pilot
End of Watch: October 4, 1973
Cremated
John S. Blue
Date of Birth: April 6, 1935
Entered on Duty: March 27, 1956
Title: Senior Patrol Agent
End of Watch: October 4, 1973
Burial Details Unknown
Details:
Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl and Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue were stationed at Yuma, Arizona, when they were killed in the crash of a Border Patrol airplane on October 4, 1973.
Karl was piloting the aircraft, with Blue serving as his observer. The officers were conducting a sign-cutting and aircraft patrol assignment, having departed from the Yuma County Airport at approximately 6:00 a.m. The flight also served to acquaint Blue with portions of the Yuma Sector, as he had transferred there only a short time before.
After approximately five hours of flight, the officers landed at the Stoker Company Airport at Tacna, Arizona, for a rest stop and to communicate with units from the Tacna Station regarding patrol plans and operations.
At approximately noon, shortly after taking off from Tacna, the airplane struck a static line near the top of 52-foot poles belonging to the Wellton Irrigation District power line. Contact between the aircraft’s landing gear and the static line caused the airplane to flip, invert, and fall to the ground upside down. Both officers were killed instantly upon impact.
A sad fact is that the USBP has lost two Agents/Inspectors due to the same event nine times (18 fallen). Their names are listed below:
October 5
The position that would become Chief of the Border Patrol was created in 1926 with Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) being the Chief for the Northern Border and George Harris (1876-1941) Chief of the Southern Border. By 1927, Harris was transferred leaving Davenport the sole Chief of the Border Patrol until 1932. In 1927, Davenport surveyed the entire Border Patrol and on October 5, 1927, submitted this report to the Commissioner-General of the Bureau of Immigration on his findings. A few quotes stand out in the report:
On October 5, 1953, the Army Corps of Engineers submitted estimates to the Commissioner to build fencing between Texas and Mexico, and California and Mexico. The design of the fence is described:
Another incident that occurred during Operation Intercept was the defection of a Cuban pilot in a fully-armed MIG-17 at Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida on October 5, 1969. Retired Patrol Inspector James Montgomery recalls his participation in the incident;
October 5, 1987, Ramey Sector was dedicated.
October 6
On October 6, 1918, the Commissioner-General sent telegrams to Seattle and El Paso immigration officials requesting their insight into placing a "regular patrol" in their areas to enforce the "Passport-Permit Regulations" and to "aid in the enforcement of other distinctly wartime measures."
On October 6, 1942, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) wrote a memo on behalf of the Commissioner to the Warden of the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The memo contained, "...the names and addresses of the district and subdistrict offices of the United States Immigration Border Patrol." The memo also contains a disclaimer - "Each subdistrict has a number of stations infer its jurisdiction but, as these are changing constantly, all communications should be addressed to the District Directors or Chief Patrol Inspectors."
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Robert M. Hotten
Date of Birth: September 24, 1975
Entered on Duty: September 10, 2009
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: October 6, 2019
Details:
On October 6, 2019, BPA Robert M. Hotten was investigating potential illegal cross-border activity in extremely rugged terrain near Patagonia, Arizona. After he failed to respond to radio calls, fellow agents responded to his last known location and found him unresponsive. Agent Hotten was airlifted to a hospital in Nogales, Arizona where he was later pronounced deceased.
Agent Hotten entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on September 10, 2009, as a member of the 910th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was assigned to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation. Agent Hotten served with the United States Border Patrol for over 10 years.
Burial Details Unknown
October 7
The earliest known Border Patrol announcement is from October 7, 1924. It’s particularly notable for debunking the folklore that applicants were required to provide their own horse or firearm. Here are some key points of interest from the announcement:
The Charleston Border Patrol Academy had its grand opening on October 7, 1996.
October 8
On October 8, 1934, Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962), wrote a congratulatory note to Jacksonville District Border Patrol Inspectors that had participated in the Florida Police Pistol League competition that occurred in Tampa. Border Patrol participants were:
During the early 1960s, one of the Beaver aircraft was also assigned to the Northeast and mainly flew out of Swanton and Houlton Sectors. The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was based out of Burlington, Vermont, and was equipped with floats. Retired Patrol Inspector Gordon Dilmore shared a story of an [October 8, 1963] incident where the Beaver was almost involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force fighter that was in trouble. The assistance provided to the pilot after the aircraft crashed was credited with saving the pilot’s life.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
David H. Gray
Date of Birth: June 21, 1962
Entered on Duty: March 21, 2016
Title: Enforcement Analysis Specialist
End of Watch: October 8, 2021
Details:
EAS Gray entered on duty on March 21, 2016. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Sector Intelligence Unit in Houlton Sector, Maine. Before joining the U.S. Border Patrol, EAS Grey honorably served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. 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 son, Harris; daughter, Marsilla; mother: Velva; and sister, Sandra.
Gravesite
October 9
October 10
On October 10, 1944, Tule Lake Segregation Center was transferred to the Department of Justice and Border Patrol Inspectors replaced military guards at the center. Approximately 70 Patrol Inspectors were assigned to Tule Lake, taking over the duties which had previously been administered by 450 Army officers and enlisted men. By this time, the internee population had been reduced from 18,000 to 3,300 through repatriations, transfers to other camps, and parole of those determined to be “loyals.”
The Fort Stanton Internment Camp closed on October 10, 1945, after transferring the last of its 24 Japanese internees, who had volunteered to help dismantle the camp, for repatriation to Japan from Terminal Island, California. During its operation, it housed not only the 410 men of the S.S. Columbus, but a total of 778 internees that included 695 Germans, 21 Italians, and 62 Japanese.
In 1918, the future Chief and Father of the Border Patrol Frank Berkshire (1870-1934), submitted no less than three proposals to create the Border Patrol. These proposals led to the creation of an Inter-Departmental Committee comprised of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Justice, Labor, and Treasury. After months of meetings and discussions, on October 4, 1922, the Inter-Departmental Committee recommended the creation of the Border Patrol.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Friedrich Karl
Date of Birth: July 15, 1923
Entered on Duty: May 2, 1955
Title: Airplane Pilot
End of Watch: October 4, 1973
Cremated
John S. Blue
Date of Birth: April 6, 1935
Entered on Duty: March 27, 1956
Title: Senior Patrol Agent
End of Watch: October 4, 1973
Burial Details Unknown
Details:
Airplane Pilot Friedrich Karl and Senior Patrol Agent John S. Blue were stationed at Yuma, Arizona, when they were killed in the crash of a Border Patrol airplane on October 4, 1973.
Karl was piloting the aircraft, with Blue serving as his observer. The officers were conducting a sign-cutting and aircraft patrol assignment, having departed from the Yuma County Airport at approximately 6:00 a.m. The flight also served to acquaint Blue with portions of the Yuma Sector, as he had transferred there only a short time before.
After approximately five hours of flight, the officers landed at the Stoker Company Airport at Tacna, Arizona, for a rest stop and to communicate with units from the Tacna Station regarding patrol plans and operations.
At approximately noon, shortly after taking off from Tacna, the airplane struck a static line near the top of 52-foot poles belonging to the Wellton Irrigation District power line. Contact between the aircraft’s landing gear and the static line caused the airplane to flip, invert, and fall to the ground upside down. Both officers were killed instantly upon impact.
A sad fact is that the USBP has lost two Agents/Inspectors due to the same event nine times (18 fallen). Their names are listed below:
- Donald Kee and William F. Buckelew in 1954
- Douglas C. Shute and James M. Carter in 1956
- Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak in 1967
- Friedrich Karl and John S. Blue in 1973
- Susan L. Rodriguez and Ricardo G. Salinas in 1998
- Jesus de la Ossa and Thomas J. Williams in 1998
- Travis W. Attaway and Jeremy M. Wilson in 2004
- Ramon Nevarez, Jr. and David J. Tourscher in 2007
- Hector R. Clark and Eduardo Rojas, Jr. in 2011
October 5
The position that would become Chief of the Border Patrol was created in 1926 with Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961) being the Chief for the Northern Border and George Harris (1876-1941) Chief of the Southern Border. By 1927, Harris was transferred leaving Davenport the sole Chief of the Border Patrol until 1932. In 1927, Davenport surveyed the entire Border Patrol and on October 5, 1927, submitted this report to the Commissioner-General of the Bureau of Immigration on his findings. A few quotes stand out in the report:
- From a somewhat doubtful and hesitant force it has developed into one now sure of its ground, convinced of its necessity and positive in its action.
- This weeding out process has had the effect of educating the public, generally speaking, to the fact that this Service does not tolerate triflers or grafters within its ranks.
- Perhaps the most important of these changes is the discontinuance of openly wearing side-arms or handcuffs on the belt during the day, particularly in cities, villages, or thickly settled rural communities. It is found that this practice has caused considerable adverse criticism and seems entirely unnecessary.
On October 5, 1953, the Army Corps of Engineers submitted estimates to the Commissioner to build fencing between Texas and Mexico, and California and Mexico. The design of the fence is described:
- The fence was to consist of two 8-foot high barbed wire fences spaced 8 feet apart, utilizing steel poles space 10 feet apart and having barbed wire spaced 8 inches apart. In addition, a roll of concertina wire was to be placed on the more southerly fence and three roll place between the two fences.
Another incident that occurred during Operation Intercept was the defection of a Cuban pilot in a fully-armed MIG-17 at Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida on October 5, 1969. Retired Patrol Inspector James Montgomery recalls his participation in the incident;
- During that operation my wife was late in her pregnancy, so I was the only PI left in Miami. Congress had cut funding to the airborne radar around Southern Florida. President Nixon was at Key Biscayne. Late one night as he prepared to return to Washington, Air Force One was at Homestead Air Force base waiting to take him to Washington. A Cuban MIG came in at treetop level and landed next to Air Force One. The station senior Bill Purdy told me over the radio to go interview the pilot. After some discussion, we decided the chance I would be allowed to interview the pilot was slim or none. As it turned out the pilot had worked with the CIA to defect in the fully-armed MIG. Congress soon restored the funding for the airborne radar.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco
October 5, 1987, Ramey Sector was dedicated.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999 by Joseph Banco
October 6
On October 6, 1918, the Commissioner-General sent telegrams to Seattle and El Paso immigration officials requesting their insight into placing a "regular patrol" in their areas to enforce the "Passport-Permit Regulations" and to "aid in the enforcement of other distinctly wartime measures."
On October 6, 1942, Chief of the Border Patrol Willard F. Kelly (1903-1969) wrote a memo on behalf of the Commissioner to the Warden of the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. The memo contained, "...the names and addresses of the district and subdistrict offices of the United States Immigration Border Patrol." The memo also contains a disclaimer - "Each subdistrict has a number of stations infer its jurisdiction but, as these are changing constantly, all communications should be addressed to the District Directors or Chief Patrol Inspectors."
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Robert M. Hotten
Date of Birth: September 24, 1975
Entered on Duty: September 10, 2009
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: October 6, 2019
Details:
On October 6, 2019, BPA Robert M. Hotten was investigating potential illegal cross-border activity in extremely rugged terrain near Patagonia, Arizona. After he failed to respond to radio calls, fellow agents responded to his last known location and found him unresponsive. Agent Hotten was airlifted to a hospital in Nogales, Arizona where he was later pronounced deceased.
Agent Hotten entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on September 10, 2009, as a member of the 910th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was assigned to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station in the Tucson Sector following his graduation. Agent Hotten served with the United States Border Patrol for over 10 years.
Burial Details Unknown
October 7
The earliest known Border Patrol announcement is from October 7, 1924. It’s particularly notable for debunking the folklore that applicants were required to provide their own horse or firearm. Here are some key points of interest from the announcement:
- No requirement for applicants to provide their own horse or firearm
- Open to both men and women (though the U.S. Border Patrol didn’t hire female agents until 1975). While the announcement was open to women, the societal norms of the time and barriers in law enforcement and military service meant that very few women would have been able to meet the experience requirements.
- Experience required:
- 2 years as a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, or
- 6 months in the military, or
- 6 months in a prestigious law enforcement organization such as the Texas Rangers, Pennsylvania State Constabulary, New York State Constabulary, or the Royal Northwest Mounted Police
- Spanish language skills: For those assigned to the Mexican border, applicants needed to speak and understand Spanish sufficiently to meet the practical needs of the job. No formal language tests were given, but references were required to verify proficiency.
- Height requirement: Must be at least 5’7”
- Age range: Must be between 23 and 45 years old
The Charleston Border Patrol Academy had its grand opening on October 7, 1996.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999 by Joseph Banco
October 8
On October 8, 1934, Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962), wrote a congratulatory note to Jacksonville District Border Patrol Inspectors that had participated in the Florida Police Pistol League competition that occurred in Tampa. Border Patrol participants were:
- Chief Patrol Inspector Chester C. Courtney (1890-1969)
- Senior Patrol Inspector John Q. Gillis (1899-1967)
- Patrol Inspector Carl H. Ray (1892-1973)
- Patrol Inspector Joseph B. Cunningham (1904-1976)
- Patrol Inspector James Edward Drake (1902-1969)
- Patrol Inspector Edwin M. Redmond (1901-1968)
During the early 1960s, one of the Beaver aircraft was also assigned to the Northeast and mainly flew out of Swanton and Houlton Sectors. The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was based out of Burlington, Vermont, and was equipped with floats. Retired Patrol Inspector Gordon Dilmore shared a story of an [October 8, 1963] incident where the Beaver was almost involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Air Force fighter that was in trouble. The assistance provided to the pilot after the aircraft crashed was credited with saving the pilot’s life.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco
Line of Duty Death anniversary
David H. Gray
Date of Birth: June 21, 1962
Entered on Duty: March 21, 2016
Title: Enforcement Analysis Specialist
End of Watch: October 8, 2021
Details:
EAS Gray entered on duty on March 21, 2016. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Sector Intelligence Unit in Houlton Sector, Maine. Before joining the U.S. Border Patrol, EAS Grey honorably served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. 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 son, Harris; daughter, Marsilla; mother: Velva; and sister, Sandra.
Gravesite
October 9
- Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.
October 10
On October 10, 1944, Tule Lake Segregation Center was transferred to the Department of Justice and Border Patrol Inspectors replaced military guards at the center. Approximately 70 Patrol Inspectors were assigned to Tule Lake, taking over the duties which had previously been administered by 450 Army officers and enlisted men. By this time, the internee population had been reduced from 18,000 to 3,300 through repatriations, transfers to other camps, and parole of those determined to be “loyals.”
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
The Fort Stanton Internment Camp closed on October 10, 1945, after transferring the last of its 24 Japanese internees, who had volunteered to help dismantle the camp, for repatriation to Japan from Terminal Island, California. During its operation, it housed not only the 410 men of the S.S. Columbus, but a total of 778 internees that included 695 Germans, 21 Italians, and 62 Japanese.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
Clifford GillPage author, retired U.S. Border Patrol Assistant Chief and, current U.S. Border Patrol employee advocate.
Read more about Cliff here |
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