United States Department of Justice - Immigration and Naturalization Service - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government
End of Watch Thursday, October 4, 1973
Add to My HeroesJohn S. Blue
Senior Patrol Agent John Blue and Pilot Fritz Karl 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.
Agent Blue had served with the United States Border Patrol for 12 years.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 12 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
- Location Arizona
Most Recent Reflection
View all 16 ReflectionsSPA Blue,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Patrol. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
A fellow BPA
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
October 4, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Timothy Jones
Park Forest Police Department, IL
EOW: December 3, 2025
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard, WV
EOW: November 27, 2025
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl, III
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: June 8, 2025
Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow
Indian River County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2025
Police Officer Alec Sanders
Alhambra Police Department, CA
EOW: November 20, 2025
Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall
Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
EOW: November 17, 2025
Police Officer Marc Brock
Vivian Police Department, LA
EOW: November 14, 2025
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds
Delaware County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: November 12, 2025
Police Officer Roger Smith
WakeMed Campus Police & Public Safety Department, NC
EOW: November 8, 2025


