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  4. Happy 94th Birthday to the United States Border Patrol

Happy 94th Birthday to the United States Border Patrol

Release Date
Thu, 05/31/2018

Laredo, Texas – The United States Border Patrol celebrates 94 years of proud history and unwavering service.  On May 28, 1924, Congress passed the Labor Appropriation Act of 1924, officially establishing the United States Border Patrol. On that same day, the Laredo Sector began operating and set up a headquarters at the home of Mortimar Hanson, Laredo's first chief inspector.

In 2011, Former Mayor Raul Salinas signed a proclamation declaring May 28, as “Border Patrol Day” in Laredo, Texas. 

“As an organization laced with many traditions, we will continue with those traditions and contribute to history by marking this day, the birthday of the U.S. Border Patrol, as a day to be celebrated and remembered by all those who have worn, and continue to support those who proudly wear the Border Patrol uniform. Honor First”, said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens.

The Border Patrol Birthday was celebrated at Uni-Trade Stadium with a Tecolotes double-header baseball game and BBQ Cook-off Competition.  The Cook-Off Competition was comprised of multiple law enforcement agencies, competing for the top prize.  Winners for Best Brisket and Chicken went to the Laredo North Border Patrol Station, The Smoking Point; Best Ribs went to Homeland Security Investigations, Fire and Ice; and Best Beans (People’s Choice) went to the Brownsville Border Patrol Station; Brownsville-O’ So Gud BBQ.

Since the inception of the Border Patrol in Laredo, 127 agents have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe; eleven of those who gave their lives were from Laredo.  Family survivors of fallen Border Patrol Agents Jeffery Ramirez, Ramon Nevarez and Isaac Morales were present at the event.

In-between the first and second baseball game, a special recognition was held on the baseball field where Chief Owens read out the names of the eleven agents with ties to Laredo that were killed in the line of duty. After a moment of silence and a flyover by Air and Marine Operations, Chief Owens thanked the community for their support during the past 94 years. Chief Owens recognized those who have been strong advocates of the United States Border Patrol with the Laredo Sector Chief’s Honor First Award.  The award is a shadowbox that contains a Border Patrol flag that was flown over the Laredo Sector Headquarters, enclosed with the flag is an inscribed marble plaque with Laredo sector coins and emblem along with the Border Patrol Chief’s Rank insignia and Border Patrol Motto, Honor First.   Community leaders that were honored were: The Honorable Ted Cruz; United States Senator represented by Deputy Director Cassandra Meade-Garcia; The Honorable Henry Cuellar; United States Congressman, 28th District of Texas-Represented by Francis Atwell; The Honorable Pete Saenz, Mayor of Laredo; City of Laredo Police Chief,Claudio Trevino Jr.; The Honorable Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff; Deputy Special Agent in Charge, ICE Homeland Security Investigations Timothy J. Tubbs, and Tecolotes Baseball Team, Chara Mansur. 

Family members of two fallen agents received the first pitch baseballs by CBP Deputy Commissioner Ronald D. Vitiello, who joined the celebration from Washington, D.C., and Laredo Sector Chief Jason D. Owens.  Family members included Luis Antonio Elizondo, nephew of fallen agent Jeffrey Ramirez and Carolina Mellado, niece of fallen agent Ramon Nevarez.

The game initiated with Deputy Commissioner Vitiello calling out the traditional, “Play Ball”!

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021