Justice for Brian Terry

I recently returned from Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry's funeral in Michigan. It was a touching ceremony befitting this hero who laid down his life protecting his teammates and the citizens of our great nation. The Detroit area law enforcement provided a farewell that was both moving and inspiring. It won't soon be forgotten.

There are a few other things that I hope won't soon be forgotten. Those are the promises made by both Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin. Napolitano stated the following,

"We resolve, I resolve, to pursue swift justice for those responsible for his death, and we resolve, I resolve, to do everything in our power to protect those who put their lives on the line every day for our nation's safety and security."

Bersin echoed her comments by saying,

"Our commitment to Agent Terry and his family is that we will do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for this despicable act. Let us resolve to finish the job that Brian began."

Bersin even cited the murder of Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas as an example of how far the U.S. government will go to bring criminals to justice.

That was the point where Commissioner Bersin lost me. Unless I am mistaken there are still several suspects outstanding in the murder of Robert Rosas and the only person who has been sentenced to prison for that crime is the 18 year old Christian Castro-Alvarez, who seems to be the "throwdown" suspect. One and a half years after the murder of Rosas, this does not stand out as the shining example of how far DHS and CBP will go in pursuit of those who do us harm.

I hope that Commissioner Bersin is true to his word and that justice is brought to all suspects involved in the murder of Brian Terry but I am not optimistic. Border Patrol Agents realize we are often pawns in a political game that stretches from San Diego to Brownsville, and from Washington, D.C. to Mexico City. We don't get the support we deserve or the benefits we have earned, but we do the job to the best of our abilities anyways. We are proud of wearing this green uniform and of being the underdog. We are tenacious and have a very long memory. Long after others have forgotten about our fallen agents, after the words of Mr. Bersin and Ms. Napolitano have faded from the public consciousness we will still stand watch over our borders. We will be forever ready to bring justice to those who inflicted violence on our fallen brothers.

Job Opening at Office of Border Patrol (OBP)

Job Title: Border Patrol Agent (Adjutant or Aide to the Chief)
Department: Department of Homeland Security
Agency: Customs and Border Protection
Job Announcement: BPA 11-1

SALARY RANGE: $89033-$123758
OPEN PERIOD: Friday, October 01, 2010 to Thursday, March 31, 2011
SERIES & GRADE: GL-1896-13/14
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Excepted Position
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS: Washington, DC
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

RESTRICTION: Any Border Patrol Agent who is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, is able to use logic, or is unable to blindly follow orders is ineligible for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• US Citizenship (Optional)
  
• Willingness to Sell-out
• Complete Buy-in to "National Border Patrol Strategy"
• Minimal Amount of Convictions for Crime of Felony/Misdemeanor Domestic Violence or Driving Under the Influence

CBP Mission Statement: We are the guardians of our nation's borders. We are America's frontline. We safeguard the American homeland at and beyond our borders. We protect the American public against terrorists and the instruments of terror. We steadfastly enforce the laws of the United States while fostering our nation's economic security through lawful international trade and travel. We serve the American public with vigilance, integrity, and professionalism.

Discover a challenging and rewarding career in CBP, the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. As part of our carefully selected, highly trained team, you'll leverage state-of-the-art technology, innovative strategies and world-wide partnerships to protect our communities and defend our frontier.

At U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in this position you will:

• Maintain Deputy Commissioner Aguilar's Wikipedia Page
• Formulate Budgetary Cost-Cutting Measures That Cut Salary for GS-12s and Below. Savings Will Be Paid To CBP Leadership in Form of 5 Figure Bonuses.
• Hold Plastic "National Border Patrol Strategy" Cards for Chief Michael Fisher to Hand Out.
• Serve Bi-Annually on Committee to Re-Assign Program titles
  
• Use Cool Catchphrases such as Tactical Infrastructure, Terrorist Weapons, and Synergy.
• Hide Combo To Safe Holding OT Waivers
  
• Serve on Disciplinary Review Board to Impart Knowledge From Your 9 Months of Field Experience
  
• Implementing Managerial Program for the Proper Care and Use of Patellar Protection Devices

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Agency Information:
Customs and Border Protection CBP
Minneapolis Hiring Center
1 Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Fax: (612)727-2222

WEBSITE DOWN

A problem caused by the company that hosts our website (Aplus.net) has caused the Local 1613 website to be down since Friday, October 1, 2010. As a result, we are not able to login to the site, graphics are completely missing, and most of the links do not work. The hosting company is working to resolve these issues and hopefully will correct the problem shortly. Due to this problem, we were not able to login to the website to post the official nomination notice. However, the posting of the notice on the website is optional since the notice is posted in every station within San Diego Sector. Nevertheless, click here to view a copy of the Nomination Notice

UPDATE (10-06-10): Fortunately, one of the techs at Aplus was able to get the site back-up, but the initial problem of not being able to login to the site still exists.

REDUCED OVERTIME STYMIES BORDER PATROL

Thanks to Jerry Seper for reporting on the overtime issue that is negatively impacting our agents and operations (click title above for article). As has been reported on http://www.nbpc.net/, the Office of Border Patrol, under the direction of Chief Fisher, unilaterally lowered the overtime cap for Border Patrol Agents to $30,000. The legislated overtime cap for all federal employees is $35,000. Although Border Patrol is under Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the cap does not apply to other employees within CBP and there was not a similar cap implemented in the other offices within CBP. 

LAKE ELSINORE AND HEMET SUPPORT ARIZONA AND SB-1070

CBP Honors Fallen Officers at the 2010 Memorial Mass

Source: CBP Website

CBP Honors Fallen Officers at the 2010 Blue Mass

(05/05/2010) Units of law enforcement personnel - dressed in blue, brown, tan and green - lined the streets of Washington, D.C. yesterday to honor their own. All saluted as 14 honor guards representing federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies passed in formation under a giant American flag as pipe and drum players kept time.

Agent Nathaniel Afolayan Memorialized at the Riverside County "Safe In His Arms" Memorial

A tribute to fallen officers

Source: The Press Enterprise

04:50 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2010

By PAUL LaROCCO

The Press-Enterprise

Just days from graduating at the top of his recruit class last May, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Nathaniel Afolayan collapsed during a training exercise in the New Mexico heat, and later died.

Because the 29-year-old resident of San Jacinto in Riverside County was to be stationed in Murrieta, his name was added Monday to the memorial honoring fallen Riverside County peace officers. In an emotional ceremony, his commander told a large crowd of the mark he left behind.