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In September 2007, FOBP conducted a border investigation of the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector and Region. Two of our board members, Andy Ramirez, and Dr. Glynn Custred spent five days investigating several border counties in South Texas. Included in the counties were Maverick, Dimmit, Kinney, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala. I want to thank Sheriff Tom Herrera and the Texas Border Sheriffs for their assistance, which enabled us to conduct our investigation safely and without incident.
We also want to thank Deputy Sheriff Gilmer Hernandez and his family for meeting with us, as well as the wives of fellow Johnny Sutton prosecution victims Agents Jose Compean and Noe Aleman. The amount of shock and disgust each of us was left with after hearing what Deputy Hernandez has been put through was beyond overwhelming. It is appalling that not one Congressional Committee in Washington, DC has convened a hearing to learn how screwed up the Department of Justice is. Here is a victim who has done time under extremely unjust circumstances and yet our government continues to do nothing to correct the DOJ. Furthermore, there has been continued attempts to move Agent Ramos into a Federal Prison Camp, which is where Deputy Hernandez was. After hearing his story, it was clear to each of us that it is not the place to be for any law enforcement officer, but I'll talk about that further in my next Andy's Viewpoint, coming very soon.
Without question, and to quote many of my friends, the Sheriffs who represent South Texas, it is a war zone and extremely dangerous to everyone whether they be law enforcement or civilian. One spot, nicknamed "No man's land" was just that as one of the pictures shows. I can't comment much further on things I'd like to write as to do so might expose weaknesses in our national security and as far as I am concerned might endanger law enforcement and community residents alike. I will just suffice to say that infrastructure is critical. They need border cameras back away from the river itself, additional sensors that have been developed and work, paved roads should be at the top of the list as well as clearing out the brush. As San Diegans will attest when the Army Corps of Engineers began work on the border fence, the problem was fixed, public safety improved, and the setting for Joseph Wambaugh's novel Lines and Shadows became a thing of the past. The Rio Grande in Texas is the San Diego border prior to 1991.
Below you will find several pictures from our tour of the region from Maverick County and the City of Del Rio.
Del Rio Sector Border Investigation
South Texas Port of Entry
Vehicle crossing point at Port of Entry
Andy Ramirez, Chairman in front of US Flag at the Rio Grande
Dr. Custred on the banks of the Rio Grande
Wide open border crossing, the river is obscured
Footprints at a major & dangerous crossing point
Same point, the river does prevent vehicle crossings
A crossing point at a ranch, note the double ladder attached to the gate
"No Man's Land" - wide open and dangerous
Another ranch used for crossing with heavy brush cover
Close up of a double ladder on a ranch fence
Yellow ribbon indicates a safe crossing point for aliens
Same ranch fence - wide view
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