Where the Legend Began?
In anticipation of the Border Patrol's 75th anniversary in 1999, the El Paso Sector began organizing events and initiatives to commemorate the milestone. Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David B. Ham was appointed as the sector's lead for these efforts. El Paso's Chief Patrol Agent entrusted Chief Ham with the responsibility of creating a slogan for the city. Drawing from the popular notion that El Paso was home to the first sector and station, as well as the first National Border Patrol Training School, Chief Ham came up with the phrase, "Where the Legend Began."
However, historical records indicate that El Paso was neither the site of the inaugural "sector" nor the first station. In 1924, when funding was secured (pg. 240), the initial U.S. Border Patrol "sectors" and stations were established simultaneously across the nation.
This is not to diminish the significance of El Paso in Border Patrol history. It is believed that Frank Berkshire drafted his proposals for the formation of the Border Patrol while working in his El Paso office. Evidence suggests that the building housing his office, the Mills Building, still stands today. The letterhead in this document provides further details.
It is worth noting that David Ham has since retired and now serves as the President of the Board of Governors for the Border Patrol Museum, a non-profit organization (CFC #16083).
For more information, visit The Great Sector and Station Debate: Myths vs. Facts in Border Patrol History.
However, historical records indicate that El Paso was neither the site of the inaugural "sector" nor the first station. In 1924, when funding was secured (pg. 240), the initial U.S. Border Patrol "sectors" and stations were established simultaneously across the nation.
This is not to diminish the significance of El Paso in Border Patrol history. It is believed that Frank Berkshire drafted his proposals for the formation of the Border Patrol while working in his El Paso office. Evidence suggests that the building housing his office, the Mills Building, still stands today. The letterhead in this document provides further details.
It is worth noting that David Ham has since retired and now serves as the President of the Board of Governors for the Border Patrol Museum, a non-profit organization (CFC #16083).
For more information, visit The Great Sector and Station Debate: Myths vs. Facts in Border Patrol History.
