This Week in USBP History
Welcome to another This Week in USBP History!
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This week reminds us of the unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and resilience that define the men and women of the Patrol.
We commemorate the line-of-duty deaths of Patrol Agent Oscar T. Torres in 1974 and Border Patrol Agent Salvador Martinez Jr. in 2021—two lives lost in service to the nation, never forgotten.
From Inspector Herschel W. Patterson’s daring off-duty gunfight in 1928 to the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet’s first prisoner flight in 1955—marking the beginnings of what became known as “Con Air”—the stories from this week span nearly a century of service. We revisit landmark policy shifts, training origins, and calls for stronger immigration enforcement from President Hoover himself. In every account, whether heroic, tragic, or transformational, the legacy of the Patrol lives on.
We commemorate the line-of-duty deaths of Patrol Agent Oscar T. Torres in 1974 and Border Patrol Agent Salvador Martinez Jr. in 2021—two lives lost in service to the nation, never forgotten.
From Inspector Herschel W. Patterson’s daring off-duty gunfight in 1928 to the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet’s first prisoner flight in 1955—marking the beginnings of what became known as “Con Air”—the stories from this week span nearly a century of service. We revisit landmark policy shifts, training origins, and calls for stronger immigration enforcement from President Hoover himself. In every account, whether heroic, tragic, or transformational, the legacy of the Patrol lives on.
THIS WEEK'S USBP ANNIVERSARIES AND MILESTONES
November 30 - December 6
November 30
On November 30, 1928, Border Patrol Inspector Herschel W. Patterson (1903-1992) was on annual leave (off-duty) when he engaged alcohol smugglers. Twenty shots were exchanged with no injuries. See this document.
The Border Patrol Air Transport fleet and its pilots also became the original “Con Air” in November 1955, when it began flying federal prisoners for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The first flight would take place on November 30, 1955, when 46 federal women prisoners would be transferred from Roanoke, Virginia, to Long Beach, California. The flights would become a regular function of the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet flying routes to BOP facilities at Terminal Island CA, Lompoc CA, La Tuna TX, El Reno OK, Leavenworth KS, Terre Haute IN, New York City NY, and various other federal prisons as needed.
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Oscar T. Torres
Date of Birth: April 19, 1937
Entered on Duty: June 19, 1969
Title: Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 30, 1974
Details:
Patrol Agent Oscar T. Torres was assigned the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift on November 30, 1974, in the El Paso Station area. At approximately 2:30 a.m., he proceeded to the West Railroad Bridge to assist in opening the gates for a train inbound from Mexico.
Agent Torres and Patrol Agent (Trainee) Robert M. Worsham walked onto the bridge to open the gates while Worsham's partner, Patrol Agent Wayne Winn, Jr., remained with an apprehended alien in a Border Patrol vehicle at the end of the bridge. After opening the gates and while walking back toward the vehicle, Agent Torres stumbled and fell headfirst through an opening in the bridge to the river bottom, a distance of 25 feet. The fall was witnessed only by the alien, as Trainee Worsham and Agent Winn were not facing toward Torres when the accident took place.
The officers immediately went to the aid of Agent Torres, and an ambulance soon removed him to Providence Memorial Hospital. He expired at 4:55 a.m., the cause of death being listed as concussion.
Gravesite
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Salvador Martinez Jr.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1970
Entered on Duty: June 24, 2002
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 30, 2021
Details:
Agent Martinez entered on duty on June 24, 2002, as part of the 516th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Alamogordo Station in the El Paso Sector, Texas. 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 wife Leonor; daughter: Itzel; Father: Salvador; siblings: Elva and Lourdes; and cousins Border Patrol Agent Jesus Aguilar and CBP Management and Program Analyst Fabian Aguilar Sr. Agent Martinez was preceded in death by his mother Julia.
Obituary
December 1
On December 1, 1913, {Jeff} Milton (1861-1947) was promoted/converted to an Immigration Inspector and reassigned to Fairbank, Arizona. He remained in this position until officially transferred to Tombstone, Arizona, on November 10, 1931, where he retired on June 30, 1932 at the age 71. A few years earlier, when asked if Jeff Milton should continue working for the Immigration and Nationalization Service or be forced to retire, Assistant Commissioner General George J. Harris stated:
On December 1, 1927, a gunfight occurred in El Paso between two Border Patrol Inspectors and alcohol smugglers. This document describes the encounter. The Patrol Inspectors were:
This December 1, 1931 document from the Seattle District is in response to an earlier and unfound memo from the Central Office (Immigration Service HQ). The document defines a shooter qualifying “expert” as having attained “80%”. The document lists the names and scores of the Inspectors that qualified as experts.
This comprehensive collection of documents from December 1933 reveals the locations and manpower of the nine-year-old USBP.
These five pages of sketches and notes were found at the National Archives surrounded by documents from 1938. The documents appear to be the notes concerning updating the USBP uniform and includes insignia, with a note from "Ernie" humorously associating the silver bar with a 'jackass'.. Most importantly is on page five which is believed to be the earliest sketch of what would become the U.S. Border Patrol Patch. See the HonorFirst History Page for more information.
On December 1, 1954, a memo was written concerning the wearing of military ribbons on the Border Patrol uniform. It was reported, “…the Department of Defense does view with favor the wearing of ribbons on police uniforms”.
Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Georgia - On December 1, 1987, Patrol Agents assigned to BORTAC and Sector Emergency Response Teams were pulled from the Oakdale Facility and deployed to the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary where the Cuban prisoners had taken control of a portion of the facility. The riot at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary had started two days after the Oakdale riot began.
December 2
In his December 2, 1930, Annual Address to Congress on the State of the Union, President Hoover focused on addressing the Great Depression and how the government could combat it. President Hoover stated, “forces of the depression now lie outside of the United States, and our recuperation has been retarded by the unwarranted degree of fear and apprehension created by these outside forces.” A measure included in the State of the Union under proposed legislation was action to address foreign influences through a:
On December 2, 1954, a new Border Patrol uniform policy was issued. The policy also identifies Border Patrol field ranks/positions of the time.
December 3
On December 3, 1929, Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951), the District Director of the El Paso District (Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sub-districts), authored a proposal to build a border fence. The proposal goes into great detail concerning costs and design.
A photograph (courtesy of the Border Patrol Museum) depicting a Border Patrol training class held from December 3, 1934, to March 17, 1935, is widely recognized as marking the inception of the USBP Academy. It remains uncertain whether Camp Chigas had been utilized by the El Paso District—which included the Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sub-districts—for training district employees before this photograph. However, discussions and research into the establishment of a national academy were already underway as early as 1934, as indicated by this document and this document. While records do not pinpoint the exact date when Camp Chigas began training all new Border Patrol recruits and officially became the national academy, documents from 1936 suggest that this transition had occurred by then.
On December 3, 1934, the District Director for St. Paul sent a memo to Willard Kelly (1903-1969), the Chief of the Border Patrol. Kelly was the first Border Patrol Inspector to have become Chief, serving from 1933 to 1943. The memo addressed the Border Patrol Inspectors' decision, made through a vote, to discontinue wearing boots or puttees in favor of slacks during the summer months. Slacks would be authorized on the northern border in 1936.
December 4
During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, there were numerous bills introduced in the house concerning the USBP. Some would have the Patrol merge and fall under the Coast Guard. H.R. 6318 from December 4, 1929, would have the Patrol be an agency.
December 5
On December 5, 1940, a memo was written describing the urgent need for space for the Rouses Point Sub-district headquarters. Evidently, the proposed improvements in this memo from April 1, 1935 were not implemented.
The official U.S. Border Patrol flag, pennant, and streamers were designed with the assistance of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the direction of Assistant Chief Beaumet. Chief Gustavo De La Vina made the following request of the INS Commissioner:
December 6
This document contains a cover memo and three sworn statements concerning a gunfight that occurred on December 6, 1929. El Paso Sub-district Chief Patrol Inspector Herbert Horsley (1878-1962) authored the cover memo addressed to his superior, El Paso District Director Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951). The three sworn statements were taken from the following Border Patrol Inspectors that had engaged in the gunfight:
December 6, 2005, “Operation Streamline is initiated in Del Rio, Texas. Operation Streamline is a consequence-based prosecution program designed to attain effective operational control of the border by conducting focused prosecutions within defined enforcement areas. Operation Streamline targets illegal immigrants apprehended in specific enforcement zones for immediate prosecution for illegal entry. Violators face punishment of up to 180 days in jail. Additionally, deportation procedures are initiated to formally remove the individual once they complete their jail sentence. The program was expanded in subsequent years to the Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector in Arizona, the Laredo Sector in Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas. Operation Streamline resulted in an increase in criminal prosecutions and a reduction in apprehensions.”
On November 30, 1928, Border Patrol Inspector Herschel W. Patterson (1903-1992) was on annual leave (off-duty) when he engaged alcohol smugglers. Twenty shots were exchanged with no injuries. See this document.
The Border Patrol Air Transport fleet and its pilots also became the original “Con Air” in November 1955, when it began flying federal prisoners for the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The first flight would take place on November 30, 1955, when 46 federal women prisoners would be transferred from Roanoke, Virginia, to Long Beach, California. The flights would become a regular function of the Border Patrol Air Transport fleet flying routes to BOP facilities at Terminal Island CA, Lompoc CA, La Tuna TX, El Reno OK, Leavenworth KS, Terre Haute IN, New York City NY, and various other federal prisons as needed.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume II by Joseph Banco
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Oscar T. Torres
Date of Birth: April 19, 1937
Entered on Duty: June 19, 1969
Title: Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 30, 1974
Details:
Patrol Agent Oscar T. Torres was assigned the midnight to 8:00 a.m. shift on November 30, 1974, in the El Paso Station area. At approximately 2:30 a.m., he proceeded to the West Railroad Bridge to assist in opening the gates for a train inbound from Mexico.
Agent Torres and Patrol Agent (Trainee) Robert M. Worsham walked onto the bridge to open the gates while Worsham's partner, Patrol Agent Wayne Winn, Jr., remained with an apprehended alien in a Border Patrol vehicle at the end of the bridge. After opening the gates and while walking back toward the vehicle, Agent Torres stumbled and fell headfirst through an opening in the bridge to the river bottom, a distance of 25 feet. The fall was witnessed only by the alien, as Trainee Worsham and Agent Winn were not facing toward Torres when the accident took place.
The officers immediately went to the aid of Agent Torres, and an ambulance soon removed him to Providence Memorial Hospital. He expired at 4:55 a.m., the cause of death being listed as concussion.
Gravesite
Line of Duty Death anniversary
Salvador Martinez Jr.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1970
Entered on Duty: June 24, 2002
Title: Border Patrol Agent
End of Watch: November 30, 2021
Details:
Agent Martinez entered on duty on June 24, 2002, as part of the 516th Session of the Border Patrol Academy. At the time of his passing, he was assigned to the Alamogordo Station in the El Paso Sector, Texas. 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 wife Leonor; daughter: Itzel; Father: Salvador; siblings: Elva and Lourdes; and cousins Border Patrol Agent Jesus Aguilar and CBP Management and Program Analyst Fabian Aguilar Sr. Agent Martinez was preceded in death by his mother Julia.
Obituary
December 1
On December 1, 1913, {Jeff} Milton (1861-1947) was promoted/converted to an Immigration Inspector and reassigned to Fairbank, Arizona. He remained in this position until officially transferred to Tombstone, Arizona, on November 10, 1931, where he retired on June 30, 1932 at the age 71. A few years earlier, when asked if Jeff Milton should continue working for the Immigration and Nationalization Service or be forced to retire, Assistant Commissioner General George J. Harris stated:
- He is simply a wonder when it comes to physical endurance, activity, and value to the Service. All of his life he has been an outdoor man, a Texas Ranger, Chief of Police, Customs officer, etc. He is a fearless, active, resourceful man with a host of friends ever ready to give him information or otherwise assist him. He is invaluable to this Service, and barring unforeseen accidents or illnesses, is likely to continue so right up to the maximum age of 70.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
On December 1, 1927, a gunfight occurred in El Paso between two Border Patrol Inspectors and alcohol smugglers. This document describes the encounter. The Patrol Inspectors were:
- Patrol Inspector Jerome A. Martin (1902-1956)
- Patrol Inspector George W. Parker Jr. (1908-1984)
- Patrol Inspector Melton R. Rogers (1905-1986)
This December 1, 1931 document from the Seattle District is in response to an earlier and unfound memo from the Central Office (Immigration Service HQ). The document defines a shooter qualifying “expert” as having attained “80%”. The document lists the names and scores of the Inspectors that qualified as experts.
This comprehensive collection of documents from December 1933 reveals the locations and manpower of the nine-year-old USBP.
These five pages of sketches and notes were found at the National Archives surrounded by documents from 1938. The documents appear to be the notes concerning updating the USBP uniform and includes insignia, with a note from "Ernie" humorously associating the silver bar with a 'jackass'.. Most importantly is on page five which is believed to be the earliest sketch of what would become the U.S. Border Patrol Patch. See the HonorFirst History Page for more information.
On December 1, 1954, a memo was written concerning the wearing of military ribbons on the Border Patrol uniform. It was reported, “…the Department of Defense does view with favor the wearing of ribbons on police uniforms”.
Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Georgia - On December 1, 1987, Patrol Agents assigned to BORTAC and Sector Emergency Response Teams were pulled from the Oakdale Facility and deployed to the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary where the Cuban prisoners had taken control of a portion of the facility. The riot at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary had started two days after the Oakdale riot began.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume Three 1975-1999 by Joseph Banco
December 2
In his December 2, 1930, Annual Address to Congress on the State of the Union, President Hoover focused on addressing the Great Depression and how the government could combat it. President Hoover stated, “forces of the depression now lie outside of the United States, and our recuperation has been retarded by the unwarranted degree of fear and apprehension created by these outside forces.” A measure included in the State of the Union under proposed legislation was action to address foreign influences through a:
- "Reorganization of the border patrol in preventing smuggling “and” the strengthening of our deportation laws so as to more fully rid ourselves of criminal aliens. Furthermore, thousands of persons have entered the country in violation of the immigration laws. The very method of their entry indicates their objectionable character, and our law-abiding foreign-born residents suffer in consequence. I recommend that the Congress provide methods of strengthening the Government to correct this abuse."
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
On December 2, 1954, a new Border Patrol uniform policy was issued. The policy also identifies Border Patrol field ranks/positions of the time.
- Military Ribbons on the USBP uniform
- Two uniforms authorized, official uniform (dress) and rough duty
- Task force (ball cap) authorized
- Sun tan uniforms to be retired by May 1, 1955
December 3
On December 3, 1929, Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951), the District Director of the El Paso District (Tucson, El Paso and Big Bend Sub-districts), authored a proposal to build a border fence. The proposal goes into great detail concerning costs and design.
A photograph (courtesy of the Border Patrol Museum) depicting a Border Patrol training class held from December 3, 1934, to March 17, 1935, is widely recognized as marking the inception of the USBP Academy. It remains uncertain whether Camp Chigas had been utilized by the El Paso District—which included the Tucson, El Paso, and Big Bend Sub-districts—for training district employees before this photograph. However, discussions and research into the establishment of a national academy were already underway as early as 1934, as indicated by this document and this document. While records do not pinpoint the exact date when Camp Chigas began training all new Border Patrol recruits and officially became the national academy, documents from 1936 suggest that this transition had occurred by then.
On December 3, 1934, the District Director for St. Paul sent a memo to Willard Kelly (1903-1969), the Chief of the Border Patrol. Kelly was the first Border Patrol Inspector to have become Chief, serving from 1933 to 1943. The memo addressed the Border Patrol Inspectors' decision, made through a vote, to discontinue wearing boots or puttees in favor of slacks during the summer months. Slacks would be authorized on the northern border in 1936.
December 4
During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, there were numerous bills introduced in the house concerning the USBP. Some would have the Patrol merge and fall under the Coast Guard. H.R. 6318 from December 4, 1929, would have the Patrol be an agency.
December 5
On December 5, 1940, a memo was written describing the urgent need for space for the Rouses Point Sub-district headquarters. Evidently, the proposed improvements in this memo from April 1, 1935 were not implemented.
The official U.S. Border Patrol flag, pennant, and streamers were designed with the assistance of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry under the direction of Assistant Chief Beaumet. Chief Gustavo De La Vina made the following request of the INS Commissioner:
- “The flag, the pennant, and the flag streamers are important symbols of honor, service, and sacrifice that build pride and enhance morale and esprit de corps within the organization. I request that you authorize them as official INS items so that my staff may proceed with procurements. I would like to have them available nationwide for 75th Anniversary ceremonies on May 28.” The flag was approved on December 5, 1998.
- From - HONOR FIRST: The Story of the United States Border Patrol - Volume I by Joseph Banco
December 6
This document contains a cover memo and three sworn statements concerning a gunfight that occurred on December 6, 1929. El Paso Sub-district Chief Patrol Inspector Herbert Horsley (1878-1962) authored the cover memo addressed to his superior, El Paso District Director Grover Wilmoth (1884-1951). The three sworn statements were taken from the following Border Patrol Inspectors that had engaged in the gunfight:
- Patrol Inspector Pedro A. Torres (1880-1958)
- Patrol Inspector Charles S. Williams (1902-1953)
- Patrol Inspector William T. Feland (1898-1951)
December 6, 2005, “Operation Streamline is initiated in Del Rio, Texas. Operation Streamline is a consequence-based prosecution program designed to attain effective operational control of the border by conducting focused prosecutions within defined enforcement areas. Operation Streamline targets illegal immigrants apprehended in specific enforcement zones for immediate prosecution for illegal entry. Violators face punishment of up to 180 days in jail. Additionally, deportation procedures are initiated to formally remove the individual once they complete their jail sentence. The program was expanded in subsequent years to the Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector in Arizona, the Laredo Sector in Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley Sector in Texas. Operation Streamline resulted in an increase in criminal prosecutions and a reduction in apprehensions.”
- From - HONOR FIRST - United States Border Patrol Centennial Timeline 1924-2024 by Joseph Banco
