Patrol Inspector Benjamin Thomas Hill

Benjamin Thomas Hill

Patrol Inspector Benjamin Hill was shot and killed while pursuing an illegal alien near El Paso, Texas.

He had observed the man, a drug smuggler, cross the Rio Grande River and began to pursue him. When the man entered an alley he suddenly turned and shot Inspector Hill in the chest.

On February 27, 1930, border patrolman captured three drug smugglers after a wild gun battle with them and several others on the Rio Grande River south of El Paso. One, who was shot in the leg, gave the patrolmen the name of Inspector Hill's murderer and declared he was one of the largest rum runners in Mexico. Many were killed or captured. It is unclear if he was one of them

Inspector Hill had served with the United States Border Patrol for only two weeks. He was not married. He was buried in the Wheeler Cemetery, Wheeler County, Texas.