EMERITAS:

Tom Ball 1998                          Dick Jones 2005

Jack Price 2003                       Don Coppock 2007

John Sanchez 2003                 Walt Edwards 2008

ARMSTRONG, JERRY L. (ARIZONA)

Mr. Armstrong entered the U.S. Border Patrol on March 30, 1975, and retired after 28 years of distinguished service on March 31, 2003. During his career, he was promoted through the ranks to Patrol Agent in Charge, Gila Bend, AZ, Deputy Regional Chief, Dallas, Texas, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, El Paso, Texas, Chief Patrol Agent, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Deputy Chief Patrol Agent, El Paso, Texas. He was instrumental in ushering in Employer Sanctions, and was the author of Operation Hold the Line, which revolutionized enforcement operations in major cities along the southern border.

ARRAS, JAIME M. (TEXAS)

I am a native of El Paso, Texas. I attended elementary and high schools in the area. I graduated from Burges High School in 1960. I also attended Texas Western College, now known as : The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

After graduating from high school, I joined the United States Navy and served a tour of active duty from 1960 to 1962 assigned to the aircraft carrier, The USS Oriskany. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, I remained in the US Navy as a reservist. I retired from the Naval Reserve Program as a First Class Petty Officer and Navy Career Counselor in 1989.

Upon completing my active tour of duty with the US Navy in 1962, I was employed by the local newspaper, The El Paso Times, as a copy-boy.Expanding my horizons, I went into government service. I then joined the US Postal Service and was employed as a mail carrier.

In 1970, I joined the US Border Patrol. Upon graduation from the Academy, I was assigned to the El Paso Sector. During my tenure with this agency, my duty assignments included, El Paso, Ysleta, and Las Cruces, New Mexico duty stations.I retired from the US Border Patrol – El Paso Sector as an Assistant Chief Patrol Agent in 1998 after serving twenty-seven and one half years.

I married a native El Pasoan, Leti Bobadillo and we had three beautiful girls. We both enjoy traveling and spending time with our three little grandsons.As a retiree, I continue to serve my community. I have served as a volunteer and mentor to students at AOY Elementary School’s R.E.A.D Program and continue mentoring young people pursuing careers in law enforcement. Currently, I serve as a volunteer at St. Raphaels Catholic Church and am an active member of the Cielo Vista Park Neighborhood Association and a member of the local Boy Scouts of America Baden-Powell Chapter. Currently, I am a member of the Board of Governors for the Border Patrol Museum and served as president from 2003 to 2008. My hobbies include reading, playing softball in the local Senior Softball League and playing golf.

BRANDEMUEHL, ROGER P. (BUCK) (TEXAS)

Former Assistant Commissioner in Charge of the U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Naturalization Service. Served as a federal law enforcement officer for over 30 years. Held various positions in investigations, inspections, intelligence and the Border Patrol prior to accepting the top operational position with the Patrol in Washington, D.C. “Chief of the Border Patrol”.

After retiring in 1986 from the Border Patrol, he founded Eagle Security Enterprises, a high-tech firm developing new capabilities in surveillance and ground sensors for both military and non-military applications. He served as President & CEO off that enterprise until his retirement.Earlier this year he fully retired and now enjoys a life of leisure in central Texas.



CARTER, JOHN L. (TEXAS)

Entered the Border Patrol on February 1977. He is a third generation Border Patrol Agent, and is currently the oldest serving member of the Patrol. He is Patrol Agent in Charge of the Pecos Border Patrol Station, and is a former member of the Border Patrol National Pistol Team, a 1490 shooter.

He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Texas A&I College, Kingsville, Texas, and served as an Infantry, Airborne, Ranger officer in Vietnam where he received two bronze stars for valor and one for meritorious service. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1995 as a Lieutenant Colonel. John is an avid shooter and Benefactor member of the National Rifle Association. He has received the Department of Defense Award with the service rifle, and distinguished with the revolver and semi-automatic pistol.

In addition to his military and Border Patrol Service, he is a graduate of the Sunset School of Preaching, churches of Christ. He is a member of the Board of Governors for the Border Patrol Museum, and President of the Big Bend Area Law Enforcement Association. As an artist, metal icons, he created John Ward and Lee O’Daniel, a 20 foot statue placed at the Museum April 17, 2008, and dedicated May 28, 2008.



COPPOCK, DONALD R. (EMERITUS) (OKLAHOMA)

Mr. Coppock began his Border Patrol Career on February 7, 1941. His first assignments were patrolling the border on horseback at border stations located in New Mexico & Texas. In 1957, after assignments in Chula Vista, and El Centro, California, he was transferred to Washington, D.C. as Assistant Chief of the Border Patrol. Three years later, he was promoted to Chief of the Border Patrol, and as such was a central figure in historically significant operations known as the “Bay of Pigs”, Race riots associated with the integration of Ole Miss in 1962 and the Selma-Montgomery March in 1965. In 1968, Mr. Coppock received the Department of Justice Distinguished Service Award for his accomplishments. He has been an avid supporter of the Museum since its inception and was the longest serving Chairman of the National Board of Trustees at the time of his retirement from the Board.



DE LUCA, BEN P. (NEW YORK)


DILL, CHARLES E. (SECRETARY) ( LOUISIANA)

Mr. Dill retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Col., and from the U.S. Border Patrol as a Field Operations Supervisor. He is currently the designated Secretary for the U.S. border Patrol Museum National Board of Trustees.

In addition to his voluntary duties as a Trustee, he is involved with numerous other voluntary activities including: Commissioner, City of Abbeville Planning and Zoning Commission: President, Abbeville Rotary Club: Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus Council 2281: Vermillion Parish Committee Chairman, Boy Scouts of America: and is a Board member and Founding Member, Keep Abbeville Beautiful, Board member of Abbeville Main Street Program, Vermillion Historical Society, and Carousel of Arts. He is Judge Advocate, American Legion Post 39, and a Steering Committee member of Court Appointed Special Advocates Program for 15th Judicial District.



EDWARDS, WALTER V (EMERITUS) (TEXAS)

Walter V. Edwards entered the Border Patrol as a Patrol Inspector (trainee) on May 10, 1951, at El Paso, Texas.  He subsequently served in the Border Patrol until August of 1964, rising to the level of Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector.  He then transferred to the Dallas, Texas, office of the INS where he served as a Criminal Investigator, Assistant Officer-in-Charge, and then Officer-in-Charge until September of 1973, when he was appointed District Director at Denver, Colorado. On January 19, 1976, he was appointed Associate Regional Commissioner for Enforcement in Dallas, Texas, the position from which he retired on March 23, 1979.  After retirement, he  contributed to the book "Recuerdos" with an article titled "The Best Job We Ever Had".   He has been an active member of the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers, and served as Chairman of their Board of Directors from 1985 to 1986. In 1984, he was appointed as a Trustee for the National Border Patrol Museum.  He served continuously in that capacity until 2008 when  he was granted "Emeritus" status.  He and his wife Annetta live in Plano, Texas.

GEYMER, HOMER A. (BUD) (ILLINOIS)

Entered the U.S. Border Patrol on June 27, 1960 at El Centro, California.Assigned to duty stations at El Centro, California, Chula Vista, California and Douglas, Arizona. Promoted 6-25-67 to position of Immigration Inspector, Chicago, Illinois.



JOBE, BETTYE, J. (TEXAS)

Widow of Mr. Jack L. Jobe, former District Director of the Anchorage, Alaska office of the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service. Member of the Museum Board of Governors 1994 to present. (Vice President 1996 to 2006). Member of the National Board of Trustees 1998 to present. Furnishes parliamentary advice to Board.

KRUHM, DOUGLAS M. (CHAIRMAN) (VIRGINIA)

Mr. Kruhm entered the U.S. Border Patrol in 1967 and retired after more than 30 years of service in 1998. At the time of this retirement he occupied the highest rank in the Border Patrol . “Chief of the Border Patrol.” During his career Mr. Kruhm was chosen to set up and command a training academy for 800 Agent trainees in Alabama, and was Acting Deputy District Director in Miami, FL.After his retirement he was Deputy Director, Southwest Border Technology Assessment, (Office of National Drug Control Policy) and traveled widely throughout the world under contract doing border and port –of- entry security assessments. These included Argentina, S.A. , Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, and Spain. He also participated in a Nuclear Threat Reduction Program contract of the borders of Uzbekistan. Mr. Kruhm resides with his wife Jan in Virginia.



MUSEGADES, DALE A. (ARIZONA)

Retired from the U.S. Border Patrol as Chief Patrol Agent, El Paso, Texas after 32 years of service. Positions included Patrol Inspector, Supervisory Patrol Inspector, Anti-Smuggling Agent, Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent, and Chief Patrol Agent at El Centro, California, and El Paso, Texas. Member of the Board of Governors of the National Border Patrol Museum from 1990 to 1993, and member of the Board of Trustees from 1993 to present.



STEENBAKKER, EMMANUEL M. (DUTCH) (ARIZONA)

Mr. Steenbakker was born in Medan, Former Dutch East Indies. After immigrating to the United States in 1957 he became a naturalized citizen in 1970. He became a border patrol agent in May, 1973 and retired in February 1999. At the time of his retirement, he was Assistant Chief Patrol Agent at the Tucson, Arizona Border Patrol Sector. Other pertinent assignments include, Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Hartford, CT, and Assistant Patrol Agent in Charge of the San Clement, California Border Patrol Station.

Mr. Steenbakker has served in various leadership positions with the Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and as a member of the Board of Directors, for Learning for Life, Catalina Council, Boy Scoots of America, Tucson, Arizona



TAMMEN, JOSEPH L. (TEXAS)

Retired from the U.S. Border Patrol on January 8, 2005 after more than twenty (20) years of service including upper sector management, first line supervisor at Ft. Hancock, Texas, Lordsburg, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. Currently vice-president of the Museum Board of Governors.

Specialized experience includes Intelligence, computer development, and vehicle seizures. During his career, Mr. Tammon received fourteen individual awards, as well as twelve annual outstanding performance ratings.

WOOD, GENE (NEW MEXICO)

Retired as Chief Patrol Agent of the Chula Vista, California Border Patrol Sector on January 20, 1984 after 30 years of service. In addition to Border Patrol Activities, assigned to areas of Inspections, Examinations, Detention & Deportation, and Naturalization. Founder and CEO of an Immigration consulting firm in the States of Idaho, Utah, & Oregon from 1986 to 1996 . Three term President of the Board of Governors, and member of National Board of Trustees 1997 to present.