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Miles Joseph Scannell
Incident
Senior Patrol Inspector Miles Scannell was shot and killed as he and another inspector patrolled along the shoreline of the Rio Grande River near Polvo, Presidio County, Texas. The inspectors were about 600 yards apart when the other inspector heard two muffled shots. Around 8:00 am he found Inspector Scannell's body suffering five bullet wounds, 15 stab wounds and badly beaten. There was evidence a struggle had ensued before Inspector Scannell was overpowered. His handcuffs and weapon were missing which led investigators to believe he had handcuffed one suspect before being jumped by the other suspects. It was concluded that he had intercepted a party of illegal aliens crossing the border to pick cotton. The suspects were never apprehended. Inspector Scannell had served with the United States Border Patrol for eight years. He was survived by his wife and a two-year-old son. He was buried in Alpine, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and a two-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Senior Patrol Inspector Scannell gave the United States Department of Labor 8 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Senior Patrol Inspector Scannell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has lost 28 officers; 20 of them killed feloniously.
Miles is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Miles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Miles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 4 officers at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 14 officers in DC were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 159 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 20.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Miles was 33. Of the 19 killed feloniously at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 38.5; the middle age was 33. Miles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Miles was 33. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Miles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Miles was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Miles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Miles was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Miles had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 5% of these deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Mondays: 10%.
September holds 7.4% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 11.7%. Mondays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 28 deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 45% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.1% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, Miles among them.
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Clarence Meek Childress
Apr 16, 1919
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Charles Lloyd Hopkins May 9, 1919
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Charles Gardiner
Oct 21, 1922
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James F. Mankin Sep 14, 1924
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Frank H. Clark
Dec 13, 1924
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Joseph P. Riley
Apr 6, 1925
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Augustin De La Pena
Aug 3, 1925
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Ross A. Gardner Oct 28, 1925
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William W. McKee Apr 23, 1926
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Lon Parker
Jul 25, 1926
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Orin F. Hush
Jan 31, 1927
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Thaddeus Pippin
Apr 21, 1927
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Franklin P. Wood
Dec 15, 1927
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Norman G. Ross
Feb 10, 1928
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Robert H. Lobdell
Dec 25, 1928
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Earl A. Roberts
Mar 24, 1929
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Benjamin Thomas Hill
May 30, 1929
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Ivan E. Scotten
Jul 20, 1929
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Miles Joseph Scannell
Sep 9, 1929
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William Douglas McCalib
Jan 7, 1930
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Harry E. Vincent Mar 25, 1930
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Robert William Kelsay
Jun 25, 1930
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Frank Vidmar, Jr.
Mar 24, 1932
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Charles F. Inch
Jun 26, 1932
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Philip Dryer Strobridge
Mar 7, 1933
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Doyne C. Melton
Dec 7, 1933
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Bert G. Walthall
Dec 27, 1933
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William L. Sills
Jan 17, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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.
