Senior Patrol Inspector Miles Joseph Scannell
United States Department of Justice - Border Patrol
U.S. Government
End of Watch: Monday, September 9, 1929
Cause: Gunfire

Biographical Info
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available

Inspectors Miles Scannell and Charles Holmes were patrolling along the Rio Grande River near Polvo in Presidio County. The officers were about 600 yards apart. Inspector Holmes heard two muffled shots but thought they came from far away. Around 8:00 a.m. he found Inspector Scannell's body with five bullet wounds, 15 stab wounds and beaten with a club. There was evidence a struggle had ensued before Scannell was overpowered. Scannell's handcuffs and weapon were missing which led investigators to believe Scannell had handcuffed one suspect before being jumped by the other suspects. It was concluded that Scannell intercepted a party of illegal aliens crossing the border to pick cotton.

The suspects were never apprehended.

Inspector Scannell was survived by his wife and a two-year old son. He had served with the agency for eight years. He was buried in Alpine, Texas.