United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government
End of Watch Tuesday, October 16, 1956
Add to My HeroesJohn A. Rector
Border Patrol Inspector John Rector was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow agent who was discussing gun limitations with a third agent at the Chula Vista Sector Headquarters in California.
The two agents had unloaded the .357 caliber handgun while examining it, reloaded it, and placed it in a drawer as they began to discuss a different weapon. The discussion returned to the .357 and one of the agents removed it from the drawer, not realizing it had been reloaded.
When he pulled the trigger the gun discharged and round passed through the wall and struck Agent Rector in the head as he sat at his desk. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to the wound several hours later.
Agent Rector had been with the agency for 28 years.
Bio
- Age 58
- Tour 28 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
- Location California
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsRemembering you, my father, gone too soon, and now, so long ago. I know if you were alive today you would abhor the monstrosities being carried out at the Border. I heard you say many times that if you were as desperate for work, for food to feed your family, as these men who crossed the border illegally, you would do the same thing. You upheld the laws, but you were compassionate.
Carolyne Rector Burns
Daughter of John A. Rector
April 30, 2019
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