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Frank Eugene Chaffin
Incident
Security Officer Frank Chaffin was killed in a plane crash in Fresno County while transporting 28 immigrant workers who had been in the country on a one-year contract. The workers were being transported from Oakland, California to the INS detention center in El Centro, California at the expiration of their contract.
The chartered DC-3 was flying at an altitude of approximately 1,500-feet when its right engine caught fire and its wing subsequently fell off. The plane crashed to the ground in Los Gatos Canyon, near Coalinga, killing Officer Chaffin, the three members of the flight crew, and all 28 workers.
A nearby prison work crew rushed to the scene and attempted to extinguish the flames of the wreckage.
Officer Chaffin had served with the United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Detention and Deportation for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and two sisters.
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
30 years. You could have gone home.
Security Officer Chaffin gave the United States Department of Justice 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Security Officer Chaffin.
— 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 - Detention and Deportation has lost 6 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 3 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 57th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1948, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 63. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Frank was 63. 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. Frank had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 63. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Frank had served 30 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%. Wednesdays: 14.1%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Detention and Deportation, the 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Detention and Deportation has 6 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - Detention and Deportation are honored on badge.nw.
