Patrol Inspector Bert G. Walthall

Bert G. Walthall

Patrol Inspector Bert Walthall was shot and killed during a wild shootout with three Mexican smugglers in the slums of El Paso near the Rio Grande. When he and two other inspectors pulled up beside their parked car and got out the three opened fire. Inspector Walthall was killed and an inspector was slightly wounded. As the car sped away both inspectors cut loose with there pistols sending bullet after bullet into the back of their car. The car was found abandoned a few blocks away, riddled with bullet holes. Inside was one suspect, 35, who had been hit with the return fire and killed.

In the ensuing search that night the other two were captured. During the shootout both had been shot and wounded, one hit in the hand, and the other shot in one eye requiring hospitalization. Both were charged with murder and possession of illegal liquor.

On February 15, 1934, one suspect, 25, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He received a conditional pardon on September 7, 1944, and deported to Mexico. On June 7, 1954, his pardon was revoked. He was paroled on August 1, 1958. On March 1, 1934, another, 33, was sentenced to life. He also lost his eye. He received a conditional pardon on September 29, 1944.

Inspector Walthall had served with the United States Border Patrol for two years. He was survived by his wife and at least one daughter. He is buried in Thatcher, Arizona.