Roll of Honor
Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin
Incident
Patrol Inspector Thad Pippin was shot and killed while tracking suspected smugglers along the Rio Grande River near the El Paso Brick Company plant one mile west of El Paso, Texas. A team of four inspectors began tracking a pack train, but were uncertain which trail the smugglers had taken. The team split up to two teams to guard two different trails. During the deployment Inspector Pippin and his partner engaged the suspects in a gunfight and Inspector Pippin was fatally wounded. His partner was also seriously wounded but survived. The other inspectors rushed to the scene to offer assistance. They were able to confiscate liquor and two burrows but no suspects were ever apprehended. Inspector Pippin had served with the United States Border Patrol for 11 months. He was survived by his mother. He was buried in Bryan, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-3D422322- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Inspector Pippin served with the United States Department of Labor.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Inspector Pippin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Inspector Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, 20 of 28 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin's cause is highlighted.
How Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin Compares
Offender Outcome
No suspects apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thaddeus "Thad" Pippin was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
