Honoring Our Fallen ICE Officers
1915-2024
There are few more noble professions than service as a federal law enforcement officer. The officers and agents who protect our communities each and every day have devoted their lives to public service. They have sworn an oath – dedicating their lives, sometimes at the expense of their own – to ensure the safety of our nation and our communities. Even in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s rule of law, and throughout evolving adversity, the brave men and women of this agency continue to demonstrate unwavering courage and devotion to our mission.
ICE honors and pays tribute to the officers and agents who have made the ultimate sacrifice to our nation.
ICE Fallen Officers
Robert C. Castioni Jr.
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on July 24, 2023
On July 24, 2023, at the age of 67, Robert C. Castioni Jr. passed away after a courageous battle with cancer deemed to be a direct result of his brave execution of official duties at Ground Zero following the 9/11 terror attacks. SA Castioni served 33 years as a customs inspector and special agent.
Rachel Elizabeth Vielmas
Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on July 23, 2022
On July 23, 2022 Rachel Elizabeth Vielmas died due to complications relating to COVID-19. SDDO Vielmas contracted COVID-19 while performing her officially assigned duties. At the time of her death she was assigned to the ERO Atlanta, GA office. SDDO Vielmas served 15 years as a law enforcement officer.
Peter “Pete” Christopher Egan
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on June 1, 2022
On June 1, 2022 Peter Christopher Egan died due to complications relating to COVID-19. SA Egan contracted COVID-19 while performing his officially assigned duties. At the time of his death he was assigned to the HSI New York office. SA Egan served 26 years as a law enforcement officer.
Brian Wayne Turner
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on May 29, 2022
On May 29, 2022 Brian Wayne Turner died due to complications relating to COVID-19. DO Turner contracted COVID-19 while performing his officially assigned duties as an Instructor. At the time of his death he was assigned to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. DO Turner served 14 years as a law enforcement officer.
William “Billy” Clark Hayes
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on January 3, 2022
On January 3, 2022 William Clark Hayes died due to complications relating to COVID-19. DO Haynes contracted COVID-19 while performing his officially assigned duties. At the time of his death he was assigned to the ERO Springfield, MO office. DO Hayes served 24 years as a law enforcement officer.
David Eric Mize
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on December 19, 2021
On December 19, 2021 David Eric Mize died due to complications relating to COVID-19. DO Mize contracted COVID-19 while performing his officially assigned duties. At the time of his death he was assigned to the ERO Denver, CO office. DO Mize served 19 years as a law enforcement officer.
Rosa E. Vasquez
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on November 5, 2021
Officer Vasquez was exposed to COVID-19 on October 1, 2021 while on duty at the Harlingen-Laredo sub office performing flight line duties while boarding Haitian nationals. On November 5, 2021, Officer Vasquez died of COVID-19 as a result of her work-related exposure.
Bradley K. Kam
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on October 12, 2021
On October 12, 2021, Officer Kam died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Olynthia J. Turner
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on September 18, 2021
On September 18, 2021, Officer Turner died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Roberto C. Cantu
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on September 13, 2021
Officer Cantu was exposed to COVID-19 while on duty at the Port Isabel Detention Center. On September 13, 2021 Officer Cantu died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Miguel A. Ortiz
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on August 30, 2021
Officer Ortiz was exposed to COVID-19, August 3, 2021, while on duty at the Denver Detention Facility. On August 30, 2021 Officer Ortiz died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Ronald H. Hunter, Jr.
Section Chief
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on August 9, 2021
Section Chief Hunter was exposed to COVID-19, August 7, 2021, while on duty at the Pacific Enforcement Response Center. On August 9, 2021 Section Chief Hunter died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
James “J.D.” “Jim” Dale Holdman Jr.
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on July 25, 2021
On July 25, 2021 James Dale Holdman Jr. died after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the chest as a result of an accidental discharge of his service issued weapon. SA Holdman was on duty at the time of the incident inside the secured parking area of an agency leased space. At the time of his death he was assigned to the HSI Springfield, MO office. SA Holdman served 32 years as a law enforcement officer.
Bradley J. Harris
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on December 22, 2020
Special Agent Harris was exposed to COVID-19, December 2, 2020, while on duty in Meridian, MS. On December 22, 2020 Special Agent Harris died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Louis H. Aguirre
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on November 27, 2020
Special Agent Louis H. Aguirre died as a result of the cancer he developed after his assignment investigating those who were responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Danny K. Laughner, Jr.
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on October 1, 2020
On October 1, 2020 Officer Laughner died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Juan Rojas
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on August 7, 2020
On August 7, 2020, Officer Rojas died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Ronald R. Phillips
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on July 26, 2020
Officer Phillips was exposed to COVID-19, June 12, 2020, while on duty at the Maricopa County Jail, Phoenix, AZ. On July 26, 2020, Officer Phillips died of COVID-19 as a result of his work-related exposure.
Dennis P. McCarthy
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on October 27, 2018
Special Agent Dennis P. McCarthy died as the result of cancer he developed after his assignment to evidence recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and Fresh Kills landfill, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Timothy A. Ensley
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on June 24, 2018
While on official assignment in Indonesia in May 2018, Special Agent Timothy A. Ensley contracted dengue fever, which led to the multi-organ failure that caused his death. Ensley was in Indonesia conducting joint investigations and providing training to Indonesian National Police related to child exploitation investigations.
Thomas M. Wischerthy
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on March 26, 2017
Special Agent Thomas M. Wischerthy died as the result of cancer he developed after his assignment to evidence recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and Fresh Kills landfill, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Brian P. Beliso
Deportation Officer
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on June 8, 2016
Deportation Officer Brian P. Beliso suffered a heart attack while engaged in a foot pursuit of a fugitive. Beliso was participating in a large-scale operation of locating and arresting undocumented noncitizens when he collapsed. Other officers on the scene performed CPR until emergency personnel could arrive. Beliso was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his heart attack.
J. Scott McGuire
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on January 24, 2016
Special Agent J. Scott McGuire died from injuries he sustained when struck by a vehicle while working in Miami, Florida, nine days earlier. McGuire and his partner were entering a taxi cab when an impaired driver hopped the curb and struck both agents. Both agents were transported to the hospital; McGuire succumbed to his injuries January 24, 2016. The suspect left the scene and was later apprehended by authorities.
Robert T. Williams
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on July 28, 2013
Special Agent Robert T. Williams died as the result of cancer he developed after his assignment to evidence recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and Fresh Kills landfill, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Edward J. Smith
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on October 15, 2012
Special Agent Edward J. Smith died as the result of cancer he developed after his assignment to evidence recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and Fresh Kills landfill, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Jaime Jorge Zapata
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on February 15, 2011
Special Agent Jaime Jorge Zapata and Special Agent Victor Avila were driving between Monterrey and Mexico City February 15, 2011, when gunmen stopped their car and opened fire on both agents. Zapata was fatally shot; Avila was seriously wounded in the attack but recovered from his injuries. Zapata joined ICE in 2006. He was assigned to the Deputy Special Agent in Charge office in Laredo, Texas, where he served on the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit, as well as the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST). ***As an agent with the Laredo BEST, Zapata volunteered for a detail assignment in Mexico City to assist with narcotics investigations. He was assigned to the ICE Attaché Office at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and served there only a week before he was killed. Zapata began his federal law enforcement career with the Department of Homeland Security as a member of the U.S. Border Patrol in Yuma, Arizona. Originally from Brownsville, Texas, Zapata graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
David Gray Wilhelm
Assistant Special Agent in Charge
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on March 11, 2005
Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Gray Wilhelm, assigned to the Atlanta Special Agent in Charge office, was killed March 11, 2005, after he was ambushed at his residence by fugitive Brian G. Nichols. Nichols escaped from police custody at the Fulton County Courthouse hours earlier, having shot and killed Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes, Deputy Sheriff Hoyt Teasley and Court Stenographer Julie Ann Brandau, in addition to shooting and severely injuring Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Cynthia Hall. After identifying Wilhelm as a federal agent, Nichols shot Wilhelm, then stole Wilhelm’s badge, credentials, service weapon and vehicle before proceeding to take a woman and her small child hostage. Captured March 12, 2005, Nichols was subsequently convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Lorenzo Roberto Gomez
Immigration Enforcement Agent
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
End of Watch on November 8, 2003
Immigration Enforcement Agent Lorenzo Roberto Gomez, assigned to the El Paso field office, collapsed during a Special Response Team training session in El Paso, Texas, with symptoms of dizziness, ringing in his ears and confusion as to his surroundings. Gomez was immediately transported to the hospital, but died the following day of acute kidney failure, which resulted from heat-related injuries he had sustained during the training exercise.
Tommy Kwok Chin
Detention Officer
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on October 17, 1999
Detention Officer Tommy Kwok Chin, assigned to the Seattle district office, was conducting detention operations related to an interdicted group of 151 migrants from the People’s Republic of China on the tiny island of Tinian, a remote Pacific island off the coast of Saipan. Chin contracted a severe bacterial infection during the processing and detention of the migrants and died as a result of the fast-spreading infection.
Pedro J. Rodriguez-Franco
Aviation Group Supervisor - Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on September 18, 1998
Aviation Group Supervisor Pedro J. Rodriguez-Franco, assigned to the Caribbean Air Branch in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was on a special mission to relocate all U.S. Customs aircraft from the projected landfall areas of Puerto Rico ahead of Hurricane Georges. After his aircraft collided with another U.S. Customs aircraft on the same special mission, Rodriguez-Franco flew his disabled aircraft to the nearest land mass, Mona Island, where he was able to “ditch” the craft on one of island’s beaches. However, Rodriguez-Franco was knocked unconscious when his aircraft flipped upside down and drowned before he was rescued.
Gary Paul Friedli
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on March 4, 1998
Special Agent Gary Paul Friedli, assigned to the Douglas, Arizona, Resident Agent in Charge office, was a passenger in an unmarked police vehicle that ran into the side of a large hauling truck as it was turning left onto a private drive March 3, 1998. At the time of the accident, Friedli and his partner were on duty, en route to investigate reports of drug smuggling activity near the community of Douglas. The agents’ vehicle was crushed and Friedli was airlifted to the University Medical Center in Tucson with severe injuries. Friedli died the following day as a result of severe head trauma.
Juan Gilberto Reyes Orellana
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 29, 1998
Special Agent Juan Gilberto Reyes Orellana, of the Santa Ana, California, anti-smuggling unit, was on detail to El Centro, California, and in pursuit of a truck carrying suspected undocumented noncitizens in Imperial County when a tractor trailer collided with his unmarked police vehicle. Orellana was severely injured in the crash and died from his injuries.
Manuel Zurita VII
Senior Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on January 6, 1998
Senior Special Agent Manuel Zurita VII, assigned to the San Juan, Puerto Rico, Special Agent in Charge office, was assisting the U.S. Secret Service on a presidential protection detail January 1, 1998, while President William J. Clinton was in the U.S. Virgin Islands. During the maritime protection detail, Zurita’s vessel struck a coral reef and he was severely injured. Zurita died from his injuries; two other special agents were severely injured in the crash.
Anthony S. Minetto
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on January 27, 1997
Special Agent Anthony S. Minetto, assigned to the Reno, Nevada, Office of Investigations, was on duty and returning to his office when he was involved in a minor traffic accident in Sparks, Nevada. The driver of the second vehicle, James Dennis Brown II, immediately exited his vehicle, approached Minetto and shot him six times with a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Brown then took Minetto's .40 caliber pistol and shot Minetto once as he lay on the ground, before proceeding to use Minetto’s pistol to kill himself.
Paul Douglas Ice
Senior Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 19, 1995
Senior Special Agent Paul Douglas Ice, assigned to the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Resident Agent in Charge office, was working in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City when Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb concealed in a rental truck parked adjacent to the north side of the building. The resulting explosion killed 163 people who were in the building, including Ice, his colleague Senior Special Agent Claude Arthur Medearis, six other federal employees, 19 children and five others who were working in the building’s vicinity. McVeigh was convicted in U.S. District Court of 11 federal charges, including eight counts of first-degree murder, and was executed in 2001. McVeigh’s accomplice, Terry Nichols, was convicted of state murder charges and sentenced to 161 consecutive life terms without parole.
Claude Arthur Medearis
Senior Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 19, 1995
Senior Special Agent Claude Arthur Medearis, assigned to the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Resident Agent in Charge office, was working in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City when Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb concealed in a rental truck parked adjacent to the north side of the building. The resulting explosion killed 163 people who were in the building, including Medearis, his colleague Senior Special Agent Paul Douglas Ice, six other federal employees, 19 children and five others who were working in the building’s vicinity. McVeigh was convicted in U.S. District Court of 11 federal charges, including eight counts of first-degree murder, and was executed in 2001. McVeigh’s accomplice, Terry Nichols, was convicted of state murder charges and sentenced to 161 consecutive life terms without parole.
David Edmond DeLoach
Air Interdiction Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on July 14, 1993
Air Interdiction Officer David Edmond DeLoach, assigned to the Jacksonville Aviation Branch in Jacksonville, Florida, was conducting anti-drug operations in Georgia while riding in a U.S. Customs UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter with his colleagues: U.S. Customs Pilots Carl Talafous and Alan Klumpp, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent William Levi DeLoach. During the enforcement operations, their helicopter struck power lines over the Altamaha River in Hortense, Georgia, and crashed; all on board were killed.
Carl Richard Talafous
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on July 14, 1993
Carl Richard Talafous, assigned to the Jacksonville Aviation Branch in Jacksonville, Florida, was piloting a U.S. Customs UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while conducting anti-drug operations in Georgia with his colleagues: fellow U.S. Customs Pilot Alan Klumpp, Air Interdiction Officer David Edmond DeLoach and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent William Levi DeLoach. During the enforcement operations, their helicopter struck power lines over the Altamaha River in Hortense, Georgia, and crashed; all on board were killed.
Alan John Klumpp
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on July 14, 1993
Alan John Klumpp, assigned to the Jacksonville Aviation Branch in Jacksonville, Florida, was piloting a U.S. Customs UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while conducting anti-drug operations in Georgia with his colleagues: fellow U.S. Customs Pilot Carl Richard Talafous, Air Interdiction Officer David Edmond DeLoach and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent William Levi DeLoach. During the enforcement operations, their helicopter struck power lines over the Altamaha River in Hortense, Georgia, and crashed; all on board were killed.
George Reyes Saenz
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on November 2, 1989
U.S. Customs Pilot George Reyes Saenz, assigned to the Miami Aviation Branch in Miami, Florida, was piloting a U.S. Customs UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while pursuing suspected drug traffickers off the Florida Keys when his helicopter crashed. Saenz was unable to escape from the wreckage and drowned.
David Louie Crater
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on November 15, 1987
U.S. Customs Pilot James Darryl Taylor, assigned to the Riverside Air Unit in Riverside, California, was piloting a Cessna 441 Conquest and conducting routine radar alignment exercises with his colleague, U.S. Customs Pilot David Crater, when their aircraft crashed along the U.S.-Mexico border, southwest of Calexico, California. Taylor and Crater sustained severe injuries, were unable to escape from the wreckage and died.
James Darryl Taylor
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on November 15, 1987
U.S. Customs Pilot James Darryl Taylor, assigned to the Riverside Air Unit in Riverside, California, was piloting a Cessna 441 Conquest and conducting routine radar alignment exercises with his colleague, U.S. Customs Pilot David Crater, when their aircraft crashed along the U.S.-Mexico border, southwest of Calexico, California. Taylor and Crater sustained severe injuries, were unable to escape from the wreckage and died.
Glenn Robert Miles, Sr.
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on February 21, 1986
Air Interdiction Officer John Edwin Hollingsworth, assigned to the Air Interdiction office in San Angelo, Texas, and his colleague, U.S. Customs Pilot Morley Miller, were conducting narcotics smuggling interdiction activities near Fort Stockton when their Cobra helicopter experienced engine failure and crashed. Hollingsworth and Miller were unable to escape from the wreckage and died from their injuries.
John Edwin Hollingsworth
Air Interdiction Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on October 20, 1984
Air Interdiction Officer John Edwin Hollingsworth, assigned to the Air Interdiction office in San Angelo, Texas, and his colleague, U.S. Customs Pilot Morley Miller, were conducting narcotics smuggling interdiction activities near Fort Stockton when their Cobra helicopter experienced engine failure and crashed. Hollingsworth and Miller were unable to escape from the wreckage and died from their injuries.
Morley Lester Miller
Customs Pilot
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on October 20, 1984
U.S. Customs Pilot Morley Lester Miller, assigned to the Air Interdiction office in San Angelo, Texas, and his colleague, Air Interdiction Officer John Edwin Hollingsworth, were conducting narcotics smuggling interdiction activities near Fort Stockton when their Cobra helicopter experienced engine failure and crashed. Miller and Hollingsworth were unable to escape from the wreckage and died from their injuries.
James Bernard Fuller
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on May 7, 1984
Special Agent James Bernard Fuller, assigned to the Rouses Point, New York, Resident Agent in Charge office, was engaged in agency required physical training activities when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was on duty at the U.S. Border Station in Rouses Point.
George J. Spencer
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on November 30, 1981
U.S. Customs Patrol Officer George J. Spencer, assigned to the New York Special Agent in Charge office, attempted to apprehend two suspects after they stole a vehicle. The suspects fatally shot Spencer after he chased them into an alleyway.
Roger L. Von Amelunxen
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on July 30, 1980
U.S. Customs Patrol Officer Roger L. Von Amelunxen, assigned to the New York Special Agent in Charge office, was shot and killed in his attempt to apprehend a suspect who had just robbed a cab driver in Queens. As Von Amelunxen attempted to arrest the suspect, a shootout ensued; Von Amelunxen died from a single gunshot wound to the heart from a .22 caliber weapon.
Dennis L. Van Patten
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 1, 1980
Special Agent Dennis L. Van Patten was killed in the line of duty in Los Angeles, California.
Michael J. Reimers
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 19, 1979
Special Agent Michael J. Reimers was stabbed to death while on duty in Los Angeles, California.
John M. Lacey
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on May 21, 1977
Special Agent John M. Lacey died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident while exiting the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City, New Jersey.
George William Singleton
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on December 22, 1975
U.S. Customs Patrol Officer George William Singleton was accidentally shot and killed by a Franklin County, Georgia, deputy sheriff as they stopped a vehicle on Interstate 85, suspected of involvement in a marijuana smuggling investigation. The deputy sheriff’s shotgun discharged during the traffic stop, striking Singleton in the head.
Renault R. Bayhi
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 29, 1975
Special Agent Renault Bayhi and his colleagues were engaged in an undercover narcotics operation when the suspect became spooked and began firing his weapon. Bayhi was shot through the right shoulder, suffered spinal injuries and was paralyzed below the chest; he died approximately 2 ½ years after the incident. Two of his colleagues were also shot but recovered from their injuries. The assailant was critically injured by return fire from one of Bayhi’s colleagues, and later died from his injuries.
William Halley
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 1, 1975
Special Agent William Halley was killed in the line of duty.
Joseph Monohan
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 1, 1975
Special Agent Joseph Monohan was killed in the line of duty.
Albert Feld
Detention Officer
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on October 1, 1974
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Immigration Officer Albert Feld was conducting removal operations in the vicinity of Ocotillo, California, when the transportation van he was driving left the travel lanes of Interstate 8 and crashed into the rear of a large refrigerated truck that was parked on the shoulder. Feld and 13 other occupants of the vehicle died as a result of the accident; six other occupants were injured.
Charles J. Bokinskie
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 24, 1974
Special Agent Charles J. Bokinskie was shot and killed in the line of duty as he tried to apprehend a suspect.
Louis David Dixon
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 24, 1974
Customs Patrol Officer Louis David Dixon was shot and killed in the line of duty as he was trying to apprehend a suspect.
William Henry Phillips
Criminal Investigator
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on January 6, 1970
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Criminal Investigator William Henry Phillips was engaged in enforcement operations and attempting to arrest undocumented noncitizens entering the U.S. from Mexico. Phillips was shot and killed by a suspect, who fled to Mexico following the murder and was subsequently arrested by Mexican authorities.
Timothy M. O’Riordan
Special Agent
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on September 29, 1964
Special Agent Timothy J. O’Riordan was involved in a vehicle accident while on duty in Burlington County, New Jersey, after completing a day-long shift of surveillance. Special Agent O’Riordan was immediately transported to the hospital; he died four days later, as a result of his injuries.
John Sellinthin
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on September 2, 1962
Special Agent John Sellinthin was killed in the line of duty.
Benjamin Bert Stone
Enforcement Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on October 7, 1957
U.S. Customs Enforcement Officers Benjamin Bert Stone, T.M. Allen and Jim Riggs were on duty at “Smuggler’s Bend” on the Rio Grande River, approximately two miles south of Brownsville, Texas. They were patrolling approximately 100 yards apart when Stone arrested a group of Mexican smugglers and attempted to lead them to a small house where some of the contraband was stored. Overpowering Stone, the smugglers seized his pistol and shot him to death; Allen and Riggs heard the shots and found Stone with a gunshot wound to the chest. The smugglers fled back into Mexico, and within four hours, police in Matamoros, Mexico rounded up seven men and recovered Stone’s .38 caliber pistol. Two Americans who owned the house used by the smugglers were arrested by U.S. police in Brownsville, as well.
George Bacon
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on February 4, 1955
Special Agent George M. Bacon, assigned to the Norfolk, Virginia, office, was killed while on duty.
George D. Joyce
Security Officer
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on January 24, 1949
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Security Officer George D. Joyce was delivering breakfast to a detainee, when the detainee attacked him with a knife. Stabbed four times in his neck, Joyce died five days later.
Frank E. Chaffin
Security Officer
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
End of Watch on January 28, 1948
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Security Officer Frank E. Chaffin was escorting 28 Mexican nationals in a charter airplane flying from Fresno, California, to El Centro, California. During the flight, the plane caught fire and the wing fell off; the crash killed all on board.
George E. Spencer
Customs Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on February 24, 1945
Special Agent George E. Spencer drowned in the Rio Grande River while on duty in Texas.
Anthony Cozza
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on February 24, 1945
Special Agent Anthony Cozza suffered a fatal heart attack after lifting excessive weight while assigned to Blaine, Washington. He died on the evening of the funeral of his friend and fellow officer, Special Agent John Fasset, who died in the line of duty three days earlier.
John Fasset
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on February 21, 1945
Special Agent John Fasset, assigned to Blaine, Washington, suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty.
Loy C. Henry
Patrol Inspector
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on June 20, 1934
U.S. Customs Patrol Inspector Loy C. Henry was shot and killed by a man hired by smugglers. Henry was at his home when the assailant came to his house asking for the location of another man's house. Henry couldn’t properly communicate with the man, so Henry decided to drive the assailant to the house; while en route, the assailant shot Henry. Before his death, Henry was able to identify the assailant from photographs, which subsequently led to a manhunt in northern Mexico and the assailant’s extradition to the United States.
Daniel A. Romberger
Customs Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on April 25, 1932
U.S. Customs Officer Daniel A. Romberger was shot and killed by rum runners when he refused to accept a $2,000 bribe.
Arnold W. Gilbert
Customs Patrol Officer
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on November 2, 1931
U.S. Customs Patrol Officer Arnold W. Gilbert, assigned to the St. Albans, Vermont office, died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident while on duty.
Arthur M. Beaman
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on July 1, 1929
Special Agent Arthur M. Beaman, assigned to Detroit, Michigan, was killed in the line of duty.
C. N. Titcomb
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 15, 1929
Special Agent C. N. Titcomb was struck and killed by a trolley car while he was walking on duty near Detroit.
Gerardo Pescara
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 17, 1927
Special Agent Gerardo Pescara, assigned to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was killed in the line of duty.
C. N. Titcomb
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on January 15, 1929
Special Agent C. N. Titcomb was struck and killed by a trolley car while he was walking on duty near Detroit.
Edward Billings Webb
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on October 9, 1926
Special Agent Edward Billings Webb was on patrol and searching for rum runners in Franklin County, Vermont, when he was shot by an unknown assailant. Webb succumbed to his injuries.
Joseph Sitter
Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service
End of Watch on May 24, 1915
U.S. Customs Special Agent Joseph Sitter gathered his colleague, former Texas Ranger Charles Craighead, and three other Texas Rangers, Eugene B. Hulen, Harry Trollinger, and A.P. Cummings, to capture Francisco "Chico" Cano and his gang on May 24, 1915. When Sitter and his posse arrived at Pilares Canyon, where Cano and his gang were located, they observed stolen horses in the canyon. Sitter split the group to enter the canyon. Trollinger, Craighead and Cummings started up one side of the canyon when they came under heavy fire and retreated; Sitter and Hulen were pinned down on the other side of the canyon. Believing Sitter and Hulen to be dead, the surviving officers walked four miles to a ranch and summoned help. The next day, they found Sitter and Hulen stripped of their clothing and with numerous gunshot wounds, unrecognizable from having been beaten with large stones. Cano was indicted for the murders of Sitter and Hulen but was never prosecuted, instead becoming a captain in the revolutionary Mexican army. He retired to his ranch in Mexico and died peacefully August 28, 1943.