Patrol Inspector Augustin De La Pena

Patrol Inspector Augustin De La Pena

United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government

End of Watch Monday, August 3, 1925

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Augustin De La Pena

Patrol Inspector Augustin De La Pena was shot and killed when he intervened in an assault at a restaurant in Rio Grande City, Texas, at approximately 7:00 pm.

He and another inspector were at dinner when a mentally ill man entered and began to argue with the owner. As the man attempted to leave, he was confronted by Inspector De La Pena, and a struggle ensued in which Inspector De La Pena was shot in the stomach. He continued to struggle with the suspect, and as he grew weak from blood loss, he shot and killed the suspect.

Inspector De La Pena was transported to the hospital at Fort Ringgold where he died at 1:00 am on August 3rd, 1925.

Inspector De La Pena had served with the United States Border Patrol for two years. He was survived by his wife and nine children.

He is buried in Rio Grande City, Starr County.

Bio

Age 43
Tour 2 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Texas
Incident Date Sunday, August 2, 1925
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed

EDP, disturbance

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I never met my Great-Grandpa Augustin but remember my visits to the Rio Grande Valley as a kid. We had relatives in Laredo as well as Weslaco and Brownsville, TX. When I joined the Air Force in 1984 I dreamed of getting stationed in Texas to be closer to my mom's family. Finally got stationed in San Antonio in 1996 but unfortunately my mom passed in 1998 and grandfather Roberto Delapena passed a year later. Would love to get back down there to visit their gravesites and see how things have changed. God Bless Great Grandpa Augustin, you were a hero to many sir.

Brian Koontz
U.S. Air Force (Retired)

August 11, 2023