Mounted Guard Charles Gardiner

Mounted Guard Charles Gardiner

United States Department of Labor - Immigration Service - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government

End of Watch Saturday, October 21, 1922

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Charles Gardiner

Mounted Guard Charles Gardiner was shot and killed on the Upper Valley Road in El Paso County, Texas.

He and several other officers noticed a suspicious wagon being driven along a road by two men. The officers stopped the wagon, and as they advanced the suspects opened fire and fled. Mounted Guard Gardiner and another officer were wounded in the initial round of fire. The officers returned fire as the suspects waded across the Rio Grande River and escaped into Mexico. Several sacks containing 12 bottles of tequila were found in the wagon. Both wounded officers were taken to the hospital, where Mounted Guard Gardiner died on Saturday, October 21st, 1922, at 5:00 a.m.

Mounted Guard Gardiner was survived by his wife and children. He had served with the United States Border Patrol for four years. He was buried in Concordia Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.

Bio

Age 40
Tour 4 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Texas
Incident Date Friday, October 20, 1922
Weapon Handgun; Flare gun
Offender Not available

alcohol violation, illegal alien

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Most Recent Reflection

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Charles,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Patrol. Unfortunately you were one of the first of many Mounted Guards, Patrol Inspectors and Border Patrol Agents who have fallen in the line of duty to our Country. You and and the men who served with you started the Legend here in El Paso.

R.I.P.
El Paso Station BPA

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 21, 2022