Border Patrol Inspector Thaddeus (Thad) Pippin
United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Thursday, April 21, 1927

Biographical Info
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 11 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, April 21, 1927
Incident Location: New Mexico
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: No suspects apprehended

Inspector Pippin was shot and killed while tracking suspect smugglers along the Rio Grande River a mile west of El Paso, Texas. A team of four inspectors began tracking a pack train, but were uncertain which trail the smugglers had taken. The team split up to two teams to guard two different trails. During the deployment Inspector Pippin and his partner, Egbert Crossett, engaged the suspects in a gunfight and Inspector Pippin was fatally wounded. Inspector Crossett was also seriously wounded. The other inspectors rushed to the scene to offer assistance. They were able to confiscate liquor and two burrows but no suspects were ever apprehended.

Inspector Pippin had been with the agency for 11 months. He was survived by his mother. He was buried in Bryan, Texas.