Friedrich Karl

Friedrich "Fritz" Karl

Died October 4, 1973

Law Enforcement →

Life Media Service Also Served Memorials In Our Keeping

Friedrich Karl served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

How He Died

Manner Accident

Cause Multiple traumatic injuries

What Happened

Pilot Fritz Karl and Senior Patrol Agent John Blue were killed in an airplane crash near Tacna, Arizona, shortly after takeoff. The two agents were on a patrol in the area and had stopped at an airport near Tacna to make ground contact with other agents. Shortly after takeoff, the landing gear of the plane struck a 52-foot high power line, causing it to flip over and crash onto I-8. Pilot Karl was a United States Marine Corps WWII dive bomb pilot veteran and had served with the Border Patrol for 28 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two sons, two brothers, and a siater.

Media

Service Record

U.S. Marine Corps

Also Served

United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol

Pilot

badge.nw →

Memorials

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Panel 24W · Line 8 cut as FRIEDRICH KARL

In Our Keeping

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Last updated August 2, 2026

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In tribute

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.

Pilot Karl gave the United States Department of Justice 28 years.

Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.

Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

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