by Tucson Sector Border Patrol officers honored five agents who put their own lives in danger to rescue two migrants locked inside the trunk of a burning vehicle. The vehicle caught fire when a human trafficker tried to flee and avoid arrest.
Agents assigned to the Interstate 19 Border Patrol checkpoint last December observed a vehicle approaching for inspection. The driver, a US citizen, drove away to avoid arrest.
agents bravely #rescued two migrants from the trunk of a burning vehicle.
When a US citizen driver attempted to flee the I-19 checkpoint, the vehicle caught fire a few miles away and came to a stop. Nogales Station agents reacted quickly and no one was injured. #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/Dcs9IkJIqK— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) December 21, 2021
A pursuit ensued and the smuggling vehicle caught fire a few miles away, according to a December 2021 tweet from Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin. Agents responded quickly to the life-threatening emergency and rescued two migrants locked inside the trunk of the burning car.
Their actions gave themselves and the US Border Patrol credit. On behalf of the Tucson Sector, congratulations on a job well done. #HonorFirst
Click here to learn more about his heroic efforts: https://t.co/NNMoEufrol. (2/2)
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) May 17, 2022
This week, Tucson Sector officials honored Border Patrol agents Fleming, Lysek, Brooks, Engles and Schaben with the presentation of the agency’s third-highest medal, the US Border Patrol Achievement Award. USA for their heroic actions to save the lives of migrants.
HonorFirst.com details the award criteria:
USBP Achievement Award
USBP Achievement Medal
Originally designed to be the Chief of Immigration and Naturalization Service Commendation Medal, the design was reused as the USBP Achievement Award. The Chief’s Commendation Medal was awarded to one person in 2002.
Criteria
Awarded to an employee or a group for meritorious achievement or service based on sustained performance or a specific achievement of a superlative nature, and shall be of such merit as to warrant more recognition than is possible through non-traditional awards, but is not Significant enough to warrant the U.S. Border Patrol Commendation Award, or
- Awarded to an individual or group for their efforts to save lives, exceeding expectations, not involving heroism,
- Awarded to an individual or group for heroism, not warranting the US Border Patrol Commendation Award.
US Border Patrol Achievement Awards for Acts of Heroism are distinguished by the addition of a “V” device affixed to the suspension strap and ribbon bar.
In April, Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens honored 240 officers in his sector with awards for their life-saving actions. Three of these included the Newton-Azark Award, the Border Patrol’s highest award for heroism beyond the call of duty, Fox 29 reported.
