This Week in USBP History
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!
Get Notified When This Week in USBP History Is Updated
Every Sunday I post new moments from USBP history. Subscribe below to get a free
email or optional push alert when a new edition is posted on HonorFirst.com.
Prefer the app? Install the free Substack app for push notifications.
This week honors the memory of five of the Patrol's fallen; Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna (2024), Senior Patrol Agent Miguel J. Maldonado (1997), Patrol Inspector Anthony L. Oneto (1947), Border Patrol Agent Victor C. Ochoa (1983), and Border Patrol Agent Nicholas D. Greenig (2006). Their sacrifice reflects the enduring dangers of the profession and the deep commitment shared by generations of those who have served in the United States Border Patrol.
The week also highlights notable moments that shaped the history of the Patrol. In 1937, a policy change formally designated Senior Patrol Inspectors and Patrol Inspectors as Immigration Inspectors, illustrating the evolving structure of the organization. In 1959, the U.S. Border Patrol reached a national audience through a television series inspired by real cases, bringing public attention to the work of the Patrol. Congressional hearings in 1995 further influenced border enforcement strategy by examining operations such as Hold the Line and Gatekeeper.
Other historical records from this week shed light on the Patrol’s early development—from discussions about inspector authorities in 1925 to early documentation of uniforms, insignia, and awards. The week also recognizes an act of courage in 2008 when Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Adam R. Ruiz prevented a runaway smuggling vehicle from entering oncoming traffic, protecting the public from a potentially catastrophic collision.
Together, these events reflect the long history, evolving mission, and enduring spirit of the United States Border Patrol.
Honor First!
The week also highlights notable moments that shaped the history of the Patrol. In 1937, a policy change formally designated Senior Patrol Inspectors and Patrol Inspectors as Immigration Inspectors, illustrating the evolving structure of the organization. In 1959, the U.S. Border Patrol reached a national audience through a television series inspired by real cases, bringing public attention to the work of the Patrol. Congressional hearings in 1995 further influenced border enforcement strategy by examining operations such as Hold the Line and Gatekeeper.
Other historical records from this week shed light on the Patrol’s early development—from discussions about inspector authorities in 1925 to early documentation of uniforms, insignia, and awards. The week also recognizes an act of courage in 2008 when Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Adam R. Ruiz prevented a runaway smuggling vehicle from entering oncoming traffic, protecting the public from a potentially catastrophic collision.
Together, these events reflect the long history, evolving mission, and enduring spirit of the United States Border Patrol.
Honor First!
THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONES
March 8 - March 14
March 8
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Christopher Luna
Date of Birth: February 7, 1973
Entered on Duty: April 9, 2007
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 8, 2024
Details
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna, a member of the 671st Session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, joined on April 9, 2007, and was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector's Rio Grande City Station.
Agent Luna was killed in the line of duty on March 8, 2024. He was involved in a tragic accident while on board a National Guard helicopter supporting U.S. Border Patrol operations, which crashed near the U.S./Mexico border.
He is survived by his widow, Esmeralda; children, Sara and Hayden; mother, Josie; father and stepmother, Victor and San Juanita (both retired BPAs); and half-brother, Thad. Agent Luna's commitment and sacrifice are deeply honored by the Border Patrol community.
Gravesite
March 9
On March 9, 1904, the Governor of Arizona wrote a letter of recommendation for Jeff Milton (1861-1947) to be a Chinese Immigrant Inspector. The letter gives a brief outline of Milton’s various jobs.
March 10
With "...the issuance of Border Patrol Circular No. 8, issued by Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) on March 10, 1937, all Senior Patrol Inspectors and Patrol Inspectors were designated as Immigration Inspectors."
On March 10, 1959, “The U.S. Border Patrol television series, starring Richard Webb as Deputy Chief Don Jagger, begins to air. Thirty-nine episodes would be broadcast, with stories based on actual U.S. Border Patrol events and cases. The popular series later went into syndication, and its sponsor, Amoco, produced Border Patrol Junior Patrol Inspector badges and cap guns, which became popular collector's items.”
On March 10, 1995, the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, Committee on the Judiciary, held a hearing on border security and more specifically, to address Operation Blockade/Operation Hold the Line in El Paso Sector and Operation Gatekeeper in California. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) was the chairman and in his opening remarks, he took the opportunity to acknowledge Chief Reyes and how his vision changed the border enforcement strategy of the INS and drove the drafting of the National Border Patrol Strategy.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Miguel J. Maldonado
Date of Birth: September 29, 1952
Entered on Duty: May 12, 1980
Title: Senior Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 10, 1997
Details:
At approximately 11:24 a.m., Senior Patrol Agent Miguel Maldonado of the Port Isabel Station was performing sensor response patrol duties alone in a Service vehicle, traveling on Alton Gloor Road in Brownsville, Texas. An eyewitness stated that Agent Maldonado’s vehicle turned left across the centerline of the road, sliding across the roadway and into the ditch adjacent to the road. It then struck an earthen berm with its passenger side tires and rolled over one complete turn, landing on its wheels. At the time of the accident, Agent Maldonado was driving in an emergency response mode with his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren activated.
Supervisory Patrol Agent Herbert J. Monette of the Brownsville Station was notified of the accident and arrived at the scene soon afterward as EMS personnel were trying to save Agent Maldonado. They then decided to transport Agent Maldonado to Brownsville Medical Center, where emergency room personnel also tried to save him. But about 12:15 p.m., Agent Monette was informed that Agent Maldonado had died from wounds sustained in the accident. The likely cause of the accident was the wet condition of the roadway.
Agent Maldonado began his Border Patrol career with the Laredo Sector. He was reassigned in August 1988 as Senior Border Patrol Agent at the Port Isabel Station under the McAllen Sector, the position he held at the time of his death.
Gravesite
With the success of Operation Rio Grande in the Brownsville area, INS Commissioner Meissner had a press conference on March 10, 1998, with Senator Kay Baily Hutchison (R-TX) in Washington, DC to announce the continuation of the initiative, expansion into McAllen and Laredo, as well as additional manpower,
March 11
On March 11, 1925, the Detroit District Director wrote a memo requesting that Border Patrol Inspectors be “designated special agents of the Prohibition Department”. Interesting in this memo:
On March 11, 1929, while investigating suspicious activity on Cordova Island, August Steinburn (1893-1952) and Francis Albert Scott (1903-1979) were ambushed and fired upon by Mexican rebel arms and ammunition smugglers protecting a load of ammunition they were crossing into Mexico.329 Even though wounded, Steinburn and Scott returned fire and were able to seek cover until reinforcements could arrive. Both Patrol Inspectors were hospitalized and made full recoveries from their wounds.
On March 11, 1931, a letter requesting information about wearing military and state decorations was written. This letter is the earliest document concerning the wearing of awards of which I am aware. However, there are photos of early Border Patrol Inspectors wearing awards as is in this photo (white shirts were first authorized under the jacket in 1928 as per the amendments to General Order 42).
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Anthony L. Oneto
Date of Birth: December 29, 1916
Entered on Duty: October 24, 1940
Title: Patrol Inspector
End of Watch: March 11, 1947
Details:
On March 11, 1947, while conducting routine traffic checks near Indio, California, Patrol Inspectors Anthony L. Oneto and John L. Fouquette arrested Carlos Ochoa Romero in the act of hauling four smuggled aliens. The aliens were placed in the back seat of the government car and Ochoa was instructed to drive his car to the Border Patrol Office. After a short time, Ochoa stopped his car, which was being followed by the government car, walked back, said something about his car stalling, pulled a.32 caliber pistol from his pocket, and began firing at the officers. Inspector Oneto was struck four times in the head and died instantly. Patrol Inspector Fouquette was wounded but returned the fire, wounding Ochoa, who escaped in the darkness. In spite of this activity, Inspector Fouquette was able to retain custody of the smuggled aliens until help arrived.
Gravesite
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
Adam R. Ruiz
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
Rio Grande Valley Sector
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Adam R. Ruiz was recognized for demonstrating unusual courage during an extremely dangerous and stressful situation. On March 11, 2008, while performing his assigned duties on U.S. Highway 281 near San Manuel, Texas, Agent Ruiz encountered a vehicle traveling northbound he suspected of being involved in human trafficking. After initiating a vehicle stop, he observed the vehicle pull over on the shoulder and into the grass off the highway. The driver absconded and the vehicle continued to travel forward and back onto the highway.
While taking immediate action to prevent the vehicle from rolling into the oncoming traffic, Agent Ruiz discovered the brakes were not functioning and maneuvered the vehicle off the northbound lanes, avoiding a major collision with other traffic including a semi-tractor trailer. After finally bringing the vehicle to a stop, he discovered that there were 10 undocumented aliens in the vehicle. With the assistance of Rio Grande Valley CBP air assets, the driver was located.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Victor C. Ochoa
Date of Birth: March 16, 1947
Entered on Duty: June 17, 1978
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 11, 1983
Details:
On March 11, 1983, Victor E. Ochoa, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent stationed in the Tucson Sector, Casa Grande Station, was involved in a fatal traffic accident when the van in which he was transporting prisoners collided with a dump truck at the intersection of Ralston and Papago Roads about 22 miles southwest of Maricopa in Pinal County. The accident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. He was transported by helicopter to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, where he died of multiple head injuries sustained in the accident.
Gravesite
March 12
Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.
March 13
On March 13, 1931, George Harris (1876-1941), wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General requesting fabric that was used for rank and time-in-service insignia. This short memo is full of interesting items:
March 14
On March 14, 1925, The District Director of the Jacksonville district forwarded a uniform related request to the Commissioner-General from the Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Jacksonville Sub-district. Several things of interest are present in the memo:
On January 18, 1939, the Central Office (HQ for you newbies) issued a memo to the field to inventory all badges and cap insignia for all positions. All of the field responses have been collected from the National Archive giving the most complete list of badges and cap insignia available for that time. The Spokane District sent their response on March 14, 1939.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Nicholas D. Greenig
Date of Birth: February 20, 1978
Entered on Duty: December 1, 2002
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 14, 2006
Details:
On March 14, 2006, Agent Nicholas Greenig was killed in a vehicle accident on the Tohono O'odham Nation in Pima County, Arizona, when the department vehicle he was riding in struck a bull walking across the highway. He and his partner were working a plainclothes detail when the accident occurred at approximately 8:00 pm.
Agent Greenig had served with the Border Patrol for three years and was assigned to Ajo Station in Tucson Sector. He was raised in Laurel, Montana, where he attended public schools before he transferred to a private high school in Billings. He graduated with honors from Utah Valley State College in Provo and joined the Border Patrol in 2002. Agent Greenig was a graduate of the 535th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was a senior patrol agent and a member of a special unit that targeted violent criminal organizations, which smuggled people and drugs.
Gravesite
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Christopher Luna
Date of Birth: February 7, 1973
Entered on Duty: April 9, 2007
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 8, 2024
Details
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna, a member of the 671st Session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy, joined on April 9, 2007, and was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector's Rio Grande City Station.
Agent Luna was killed in the line of duty on March 8, 2024. He was involved in a tragic accident while on board a National Guard helicopter supporting U.S. Border Patrol operations, which crashed near the U.S./Mexico border.
He is survived by his widow, Esmeralda; children, Sara and Hayden; mother, Josie; father and stepmother, Victor and San Juanita (both retired BPAs); and half-brother, Thad. Agent Luna's commitment and sacrifice are deeply honored by the Border Patrol community.
Gravesite
March 9
On March 9, 1904, the Governor of Arizona wrote a letter of recommendation for Jeff Milton (1861-1947) to be a Chinese Immigrant Inspector. The letter gives a brief outline of Milton’s various jobs.
- As per documents that supported Jeff Milton's retirement in 1932, he was neither a Border Patrol Inspector nor a member of the Border Patrol. He was a well-known law enforcement officer in the El Paso District, which encompasses modern day Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sectors. Leaders of the newly formed Border Patrol are believed to have used Jeff Milton's rugged independence as a model for new inspectors. This is thought to have led to him mistakenly being considered the first Border Patrol Inspector.
March 10
With "...the issuance of Border Patrol Circular No. 8, issued by Deputy Commissioner Irving F. Wixon (1884-1962) on March 10, 1937, all Senior Patrol Inspectors and Patrol Inspectors were designated as Immigration Inspectors."
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
On March 10, 1959, “The U.S. Border Patrol television series, starring Richard Webb as Deputy Chief Don Jagger, begins to air. Thirty-nine episodes would be broadcast, with stories based on actual U.S. Border Patrol events and cases. The popular series later went into syndication, and its sponsor, Amoco, produced Border Patrol Junior Patrol Inspector badges and cap guns, which became popular collector's items.”
- From - HONOR FIRST - United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline 1924-2024 by Joseph Banco
On March 10, 1995, the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, Committee on the Judiciary, held a hearing on border security and more specifically, to address Operation Blockade/Operation Hold the Line in El Paso Sector and Operation Gatekeeper in California. Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) was the chairman and in his opening remarks, he took the opportunity to acknowledge Chief Reyes and how his vision changed the border enforcement strategy of the INS and drove the drafting of the National Border Patrol Strategy.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999 by Joseph Banco
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Miguel J. Maldonado
Date of Birth: September 29, 1952
Entered on Duty: May 12, 1980
Title: Senior Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 10, 1997
Details:
At approximately 11:24 a.m., Senior Patrol Agent Miguel Maldonado of the Port Isabel Station was performing sensor response patrol duties alone in a Service vehicle, traveling on Alton Gloor Road in Brownsville, Texas. An eyewitness stated that Agent Maldonado’s vehicle turned left across the centerline of the road, sliding across the roadway and into the ditch adjacent to the road. It then struck an earthen berm with its passenger side tires and rolled over one complete turn, landing on its wheels. At the time of the accident, Agent Maldonado was driving in an emergency response mode with his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren activated.
Supervisory Patrol Agent Herbert J. Monette of the Brownsville Station was notified of the accident and arrived at the scene soon afterward as EMS personnel were trying to save Agent Maldonado. They then decided to transport Agent Maldonado to Brownsville Medical Center, where emergency room personnel also tried to save him. But about 12:15 p.m., Agent Monette was informed that Agent Maldonado had died from wounds sustained in the accident. The likely cause of the accident was the wet condition of the roadway.
Agent Maldonado began his Border Patrol career with the Laredo Sector. He was reassigned in August 1988 as Senior Border Patrol Agent at the Port Isabel Station under the McAllen Sector, the position he held at the time of his death.
Gravesite
With the success of Operation Rio Grande in the Brownsville area, INS Commissioner Meissner had a press conference on March 10, 1998, with Senator Kay Baily Hutchison (R-TX) in Washington, DC to announce the continuation of the initiative, expansion into McAllen and Laredo, as well as additional manpower,
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999 by Joseph Banco
March 11
On March 11, 1925, the Detroit District Director wrote a memo requesting that Border Patrol Inspectors be “designated special agents of the Prohibition Department”. Interesting in this memo:
- Three “Patrol Inspectors in Charge” are mentioned. That title would be changed to “Chief Patrol Inspector” with the implementation of General Order 61 in 1926.
- Walter R. Brooks (1880-1954)
- Ruel E. Davenport (1878-1961)
- George T. Montague - I could not locate the gravesite of George T. Montague. However, I did find newspaper articles that showed he was transferred to Baltimore as an Immigrant Inspector in 1927. He resigned from the Immigration Service approximately two months after that transfer. In 1929, he was detained and subsequently release for suspicion of bootlegging while he was assigned to Detroit. Although, I could locate other people with the same name, I could not confirm any of them were this George T. Montague.
- Also with the implementation of General Order 61, Ruel Davenport, would become one of the first two Chiefs of the Border Patrol.
- On March 29, 1926, about a year after this memo, General Order 63 would be implemented giving Border Patrol Inspectors and Immigrant Inspectors clear authority to enforce laws other than immigration laws.
On March 11, 1929, while investigating suspicious activity on Cordova Island, August Steinburn (1893-1952) and Francis Albert Scott (1903-1979) were ambushed and fired upon by Mexican rebel arms and ammunition smugglers protecting a load of ammunition they were crossing into Mexico.329 Even though wounded, Steinburn and Scott returned fire and were able to seek cover until reinforcements could arrive. Both Patrol Inspectors were hospitalized and made full recoveries from their wounds.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
On March 11, 1931, a letter requesting information about wearing military and state decorations was written. This letter is the earliest document concerning the wearing of awards of which I am aware. However, there are photos of early Border Patrol Inspectors wearing awards as is in this photo (white shirts were first authorized under the jacket in 1928 as per the amendments to General Order 42).
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Anthony L. Oneto
Date of Birth: December 29, 1916
Entered on Duty: October 24, 1940
Title: Patrol Inspector
End of Watch: March 11, 1947
Details:
On March 11, 1947, while conducting routine traffic checks near Indio, California, Patrol Inspectors Anthony L. Oneto and John L. Fouquette arrested Carlos Ochoa Romero in the act of hauling four smuggled aliens. The aliens were placed in the back seat of the government car and Ochoa was instructed to drive his car to the Border Patrol Office. After a short time, Ochoa stopped his car, which was being followed by the government car, walked back, said something about his car stalling, pulled a.32 caliber pistol from his pocket, and began firing at the officers. Inspector Oneto was struck four times in the head and died instantly. Patrol Inspector Fouquette was wounded but returned the fire, wounding Ochoa, who escaped in the darkness. In spite of this activity, Inspector Fouquette was able to retain custody of the smuggled aliens until help arrived.
Gravesite
Newton-Azrak Award action anniversary
Adam R. Ruiz
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent
Rio Grande Valley Sector
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Adam R. Ruiz was recognized for demonstrating unusual courage during an extremely dangerous and stressful situation. On March 11, 2008, while performing his assigned duties on U.S. Highway 281 near San Manuel, Texas, Agent Ruiz encountered a vehicle traveling northbound he suspected of being involved in human trafficking. After initiating a vehicle stop, he observed the vehicle pull over on the shoulder and into the grass off the highway. The driver absconded and the vehicle continued to travel forward and back onto the highway.
While taking immediate action to prevent the vehicle from rolling into the oncoming traffic, Agent Ruiz discovered the brakes were not functioning and maneuvered the vehicle off the northbound lanes, avoiding a major collision with other traffic including a semi-tractor trailer. After finally bringing the vehicle to a stop, he discovered that there were 10 undocumented aliens in the vehicle. With the assistance of Rio Grande Valley CBP air assets, the driver was located.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Victor C. Ochoa
Date of Birth: March 16, 1947
Entered on Duty: June 17, 1978
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 11, 1983
Details:
On March 11, 1983, Victor E. Ochoa, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent stationed in the Tucson Sector, Casa Grande Station, was involved in a fatal traffic accident when the van in which he was transporting prisoners collided with a dump truck at the intersection of Ralston and Papago Roads about 22 miles southwest of Maricopa in Pinal County. The accident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. He was transported by helicopter to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, where he died of multiple head injuries sustained in the accident.
Gravesite
March 12
Today marks a quiet day in USBP history.
March 13
On March 13, 1931, George Harris (1876-1941), wrote a memo to the Commissioner-General requesting fabric that was used for rank and time-in-service insignia. This short memo is full of interesting items:
- Harris held the title of “Director,” which was synonymous with “Chief of the Border Patrol” from 1932-1933. This would mark the second time that Harris was the “Chief of the Border Patrol”. He is the only person to have been Chief in non-consecutive terms. See the USBP History page, “What were the two Border Districts?” for more information.
- The insignia are described in General Order 179, the USBP’s second uniform policy. The silver fabric was for Border Patrol Inspectors and Senior Patrol Inspectors. The gold fabric was for Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents. The stars and 1/4” width fabric were used for time-in-service insignia and the 3/8” width fabric was used for the rank insignia for Senior Patrol Inspectors, Chief Patrol Inspectors and Assistant Superintendents. See this page for more information on the USBP’s early rank and time-in-service insignia.
March 14
On March 14, 1925, The District Director of the Jacksonville district forwarded a uniform related request to the Commissioner-General from the Patrol Inspector in Charge of the Jacksonville Sub-district. Several things of interest are present in the memo:
- This document (page 2) conclusively demonstrates that Border Patrol employees were assigned to Florida as early as 1924, starting with three sub-districts (later called sectors in the 1940s): Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami.
- This memo was written a mere 3 months after the implementation of the USBP’s first uniform policy, General Order 42.
- This memo also references Patrol Inspector Jesse M. Sixkiller (1899-1959), a figure whose name is distinctive in the annals of Border Patrol history.
On January 18, 1939, the Central Office (HQ for you newbies) issued a memo to the field to inventory all badges and cap insignia for all positions. All of the field responses have been collected from the National Archive giving the most complete list of badges and cap insignia available for that time. The Spokane District sent their response on March 14, 1939.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Nicholas D. Greenig
Date of Birth: February 20, 1978
Entered on Duty: December 1, 2002
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: March 14, 2006
Details:
On March 14, 2006, Agent Nicholas Greenig was killed in a vehicle accident on the Tohono O'odham Nation in Pima County, Arizona, when the department vehicle he was riding in struck a bull walking across the highway. He and his partner were working a plainclothes detail when the accident occurred at approximately 8:00 pm.
Agent Greenig had served with the Border Patrol for three years and was assigned to Ajo Station in Tucson Sector. He was raised in Laurel, Montana, where he attended public schools before he transferred to a private high school in Billings. He graduated with honors from Utah Valley State College in Provo and joined the Border Patrol in 2002. Agent Greenig was a graduate of the 535th session of the Border Patrol Academy. He was a senior patrol agent and a member of a special unit that targeted violent criminal organizations, which smuggled people and drugs.
Gravesite
