Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

SPA Blue,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Patrol. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
A fellow BPA

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 4, 2023

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice are always remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

October 4, 2020

Good Day Ms. Blue,

First and foremost, we thank you and your family for all the sacrifices that have been made to keep our great nation safe. Your grandfather and the our many other fallen heroes will never be forgotten.

I was recently introduced to the Fallen Heroes Silent Partners program and have read all about the tragic aircraft accident. Are there a few additional personal facts you can share with me about my new silent partner (your grandfather)? It would sincerely be my pleasure to get to know my silent partner on more than a factual level.

For example, I am an avid sports fanatic and was wondering what kind of sports he liked? Did he ever mention what made him decide to become a BP officer or tell any memorable stories to you or your family?

God bless!

Linh Nguyen
DHS/CBP

October 10, 2017

Tara,
I am an agent out of Yuma Sector, I entered on duty in 1985 and learned from day one about our Fallen agents.
And yes, we honor your grandfather 1st, by doing our job the best we can each and every shift and 2nd at every anniversary we take a moment at each briefing and talk about both your grandfather Pilot Karl and Agent Blue. In addition each year during Police Week we hold a ceremony at Sector to Honor and Remember our Fallen.
I recently worked with a fellow supervisor on a project to further honor our Fallen and in October of 2015 we put finished our Fallen Agent Wall. If you write me I could send you a photo of the wall at the Yuma Station (built 2007).
The only photo of your grandfather in uniform I can seem to locate is the one posted on this page. If your family happens to have any of him in uniform in Yuma or anywhere else I would love to add it to my Yuma BP History collection.
HONOR FIRST

SBPA Janalyn Buseck
USBP

May 9, 2016

Tara,

I just spoke to your Aunt Jan who is going to provide me your contact information. I want you to know that even though it was many years ago, the Border Patrol still honors your Grandfather and is mindful of your family.

SBPA Matt Ferguson
Chaplain

November 4, 2015

Hello Mr. Ferguson,

I am his Granddaughter.

Regards,

Tara Blue
Granddaughter

May 22, 2015

My name is Chaplain Matt Ferguson and I am looking to meet descendants of SPA John Blue. Please contact me if you are able to help.

R.I.P. and God Bless

SBPA Ferguson
Chaplain, USBP

March 1, 2015

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 4, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 37th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

October 5, 2010

As I look at the faces of the men and women here, I see the faces of my co-workers. I can imagine each of them shooting the bull and swapping war stories at choir practice as the meat sizzles on the grill. I see them laughing, pranking and teasing their fellow agents, as we often do when we relieve stress. I wish that each of them were still here to share the good times.

And I feel compelled to look at each of the faces here and remember…to remember that each of them made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country and we should NEVER forget them or their service.

Too often the sacrifices of those who serve our country are overlooked or casually dismissed by the very public they served so selflessly. But WE should never forget them…each and every one of them. May they each rest in peace eternally in God’s loving embrace.

SBPA James Doran
US Border Patrol

July 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 18, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

vandenberghe
nh

October 14, 2007

SPA Blue,
On today the 32nd anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service to our Country and to the Patrol.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

October 4, 2005

Blue was one of the reasons I wanted to get into Border Patrol as a career. Met him while he was working with my Dad in Lukeville, Az., Organ Pipe Nat'l Monument, back in the late '60's. Good man, used to let me drive the load vehicles back to the POE.
RIP.

Corley
USBP Class #154

L. M. Corley Supervisory Special Agent/A
DHS/ICE

February 8, 2005

Rest in peace brother.

V-29
USBP

October 4, 2004

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

God bless, hero. Rest in peace.

October 4, 2004