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Ivan E. Scotten
Incident
Patrol Inspector Ivan Scotten was shot and killed when he and other inspectors were ambushed by smugglers near Clint, Texas. The inspectors had received information that there would be heavy crossings by liquor smugglers and aliens before daybreak on Saturday, July 20th, 1929, in the area of the upper Las Pomas crossing. Three officers confronted a man on horseback who immediately opened fire on them. The officers returned fire as the man fled into Mexico, where he died. The three officers regrouped, and with three more officers, including Inspector Ivan Scotten, returned to the scene in automobiles. As they arrived they were caught in a cross fire from smugglers concealed on both sides of the road. Inspector Scotten was wounded in the thigh and fell to the ground. The five remaining officers retreated under fire and the smugglers advanced. When the smugglers reached the automobiles they found the wounded Inspector Scotten under the vehicle. He was pulled from under the vehicle and shot at close range in the head. The smugglers stole his pistols, ring, watch, and badge before the other inspectors advanced and forced them back into Mexico. The case remained unsolved until 1933 when another patrol inspector interrogated two brothers in an unrelated case. The brothers confessed to knowledge that a man had bragged about killing Inspector Scotten and had the officer's pistols and possessions. In 1934, the man, 33, was convicted and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to life in prison on February 13, 1936. On May 27, 1947, He was pardoned by Governor Beauford H. Jester and deported to Mexico. Inspector Scotten had served with the United States Border Patrol for only nine months. He was survived by his parents, two brothers and one sister. He was buried in the Concordia Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Inspector Scotten served with the United States Department of Labor.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Inspector Scotten.
— 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.
Ivan is one of 754 officers killed feloniously in DC, 53.1% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Ivan is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ivan is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 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
Ivan was 26. 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. Ivan had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 1 years.
Ivan was 26. Of the 580 killed feloniously in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 36. Ivan had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Ivan was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ivan had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ivan was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ivan had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10% of these deaths at United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol; December holds the most, 25%. Saturdays: 15%.
July holds 11.7% of these deaths in DC, more than any other month. Saturdays: 13%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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 34,102 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, Ivan 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 19-W
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.
