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John Gilberto Orellana
Incident
Special Agent John Orellana was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to back up a United States Border Patrol agent who was chasing several illegal aliens in Imperial County, California. As Agent Orellana was responding to the call his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of California State Routes 86 and 22, in Salton City. Agent Orellana had been temporarily assigned to the area due to a dramatic increase in illegal alien smuggling. Agent Orellana had served with the Immigration and Naturalization Service for 23 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Special Agent Orellana gave the United States Department of Justice 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Orellana.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 10 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 51. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 51. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.4% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Thursdays: 16.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Investigations are honored on badge.nw.
