BORDER PATROL

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Illegal immigration and border security are major problems for this country. We have yet to effectively deal with the issue for various and diverse reasons.

The southern border is a region infected with criminality on both sides of the border. The drug cartels continue to wage war with US law enforcement and each other. Human trafficking, drug smuggling, illicit arms trade and money laundering are rampant.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are involved in the border wars. Homeland Security, the FBI, ATF&E, DEA, Customs and Border Patrol, all play a role.

Some years ago, I was given the opportunity to ride with the Border Patrol in order to study and photograph their activities. The purpose of this exercise was for me to draw illustrations for PR efforts, produce prints to sell at the BP museum and for a possible mural at a new BP station.

I did ride-alongs and produced a number of drawings but as too frequently happens when dealing with a gov bureaucracy, the PC, BS and CYA got out of control. The deal eventually fell apart.

With the latest up-tick in violence in the nearby border region, I thought I would post some photos of a few of my drawings in tribute to those BP agents that have suffered injury and death recently.

 

[Leatherman-Cowboy]

Must be a tough job to deal with all the problems surrounding any border work. Be it field or legality's.
Reminds me of when I was stationed at the West-East border in Germany..I can well understand the whole thing.
But I am impressed with your drawings, and know you have a thing for details and do fine work.

Thank you for posting your work.

 

[Rustyt1953]

What I wouldn't give for a steady hand like that.

 

[armadillo]

I have lots of respect for the Border Patrol. The can all shoot well. Many of them have to live and work in places/conditions most Americans could never imagine.

You can count on them in a pinch. I spent a lot of my life on the border. In rural areas people would say if you had an emergency you should call the Border Patrol before you call the Sheriff.

 

[soFlaNative]

I like your style Chief.

 

[Old TexMex]

Pretty work Master Chief. Right after the hurricane, the Border Patrol came to help with security here. Turned out several began to volunteer on their off duty days. Good men.

 

[mtgianni]

I looked into BP as a young man. The pay was barely above minimum wage and it looked like within a few years you would still be eligible for food stamps. Sad that it was one of the least paid Federal jobs. I don't know if it has changed much.

 

[Bat Guano]

My father went into the "Old Patrol" in 1940; retired as an inspector in 1972. Some interesting stories...

His duty gun was a 4" Colt New Service in .38 Special. And he, like m, had small hands. Go figure.

The family story was that to "gunproof" me he unloaded it and let me play with it until my curiosity was satisfied. It sort of backfired and I'm still playing with guns.

I never went into the Patrol but became an INS special agent and worked with them now and then.

Won't say any more as I'd just get banned for eternity and a day.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a older person I grew up reading the exploits of Askins, Jordan, Skelton. If they were around today and could some how do things they way they wanted to the border and the problem there would be handled differently.

Things were so much simpler then (and better)

 

[Texas Star]

I have lots of respect for the Border Patrol. The can all shoot well. Many of them have to live and work in places/conditions most Americans could never imagine.

You can count on them in a pinch. I spent a lot of my life on the border. In rural areas people would say if you had an emergency you should call the Border Patrol before you call the Sheriff.

Do they have problems assisting with non-Federal cases?

 

[OLDNAVYMCPO]

Do they have problems assisting with non-Federal cases?

No. As you can see in my new post, on a run for the border.

 

[Mark S.]

The U.S. Border Patrol museum in El Paso, TX is one of the most intriguing places I've visited. From the proximity to the Border to the interesting displays in the nooks and crannies of the smallish building and grounds, I spent a good part of a day wandering around.

 

[pmanton]

I am impressed with your drawings. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler.

 

[Kiwi cop]

The U.S. Border Patrol museum in El Paso, TX is one of the most intriguing places I've visited. From the proximity to the Border to the interesting displays in the nooks and crannies of the smallish building and grounds, I spent a good part of a day wandering around.

One more place to visit on our US road trip next year. I had planned just an overnight in El Paso after a day long drive from SAN Antonio but will rejig the itinerary.

 

[Mark S.]

One more place to visit on our US road trip next year. I had planned just an overnight in El Paso after a day long drive from SAN Antonio but will rejig the itinerary.

Home - National Border Patrol Museum

Note: Open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Free Admission.

I made the mistake of going on a Monday and was disappointed.

 

[walkin jack]

That is simply amazing. It took me a moment to figure out that those were not photographs.