Since 2008, the PBR has counted the U.S. Border Patrol as one of its most valued partners. USBP agents have been central to the opening ceremonies at PBR events, and fans have become familiar with the honor guard, horse patrol and special operations group rappellers.

USBP says its partnership with PBR is one of the agency’s most successful tools for attracting new recruits to begin a career essential to the safety of all Americans.

On Wednesday, the relationship went a step further, as PBR CEO Sean Gleason and members of the league’s front office attended National Police Week in Washington D.C. and helped honor the fallen.

National Police Week falls within Peace Officers Memorial Day each May and is comprised of a series of events that recognizes all branches of law enforcement in honor, reflection and remembrance.

Before arriving in the Nation’s Capital, each PBR attendee was assigned a Silent Partner by members of the U.S. Border Patrol. Silent Partners represent agents who have died in the line of duty and are assigned to Border Patrol Agent trainees at the Border Patrol Academy USBP as part of Academy’s commitment to “honoring the fallen by training the living.” Throughout their career, Agents carry a laminated card featuring their Silent Partner as a reminder of the commitment and sacrifice they made to safeguarding the people of this nation.

The Silent Partners assigned to the PBR contingent were Border Patrol Agent Cruz McGuire, Border Patrol Agent Javier Vega Jr. and Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

“Being chosen as a silent partner to represent Cruz McGuire and then having the opportunity to meet his son, who is pursuing a career in the USBP, was an honor I will never forget,” said Gleason. “It reinforces the pride, history and sacrifices that are associated with being a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.”

The team also visited the National Law Enforcement Memorial, which honors every federal, state and local law enforcement officer who has died in the line of duty. Almost 22,000 names appear on its marble walls, dating back to the first known death in 1791. After learning about each Silent Partner, the team located each individual on the walls and took home an etching of their names.

On Thursday, May 16, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection held the Valor Memorial to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the CBP and their legacy agencies who died in the line of duty and to recognize and thank their families for their sacrifice. This year’s ceremony honored Intelligence Collection Operations Manager Christopher T. Bacon, who passed away on June 7, 2018.

“If every American citizen was required to attend Police Week and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Wreath laying ceremony, the sentiment from those who cast dispersions against our law enforcement officials would reverse immediately,” said Gleason. “It is a sobering reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that so many have made to protect and defend our freedom and well-being.”

Following the memorial, the award-winning U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard Pipes and Drums and U.S. Border Patrol Honor Guard performed. PBR fans would not be surprised to learn that the Honor Guard won first place at the Steve Young Honor Guard competition and the pipes and drums won first place at the National Pipe Band Competition.

“It has been a privilege to attend the USCBP Wreath laying ceremony the past two years and I don’t intend to miss another,” said Gleason. “We were able to honor USBP agent Donna Doss in Tacoma earlier this year and she will be one – and hopefully the only one – that the USCBP will need to honor next year.”

To learn more about our fallen officers, you can visit the Officer Down Memorial Page at odmp.org.