by Old Patrol HQ

We honor the memory of US Border Patrol Agent Stephen C. Starch, born January 3, 1972 and entered on duty in San Diego Sector November 13, 1995.

End of Watch: June 14, 1997

Details:
On June 14, 1997, Border Patrol Agent Stephen C. Starch and Senior Patrol Agent Aric Curtis were patrolling the border area south of State Route 94 in the Dulzura, California area. During the midafternoon hours, they found tracks of suspected illegal immigrants.  Fully aware of terrain obstacles and even though their shift was almost over, Agents Starch and Curtis forged ahead, scaling the side of a mountain. Agent Starch separated from Agent Curtis to cover more territory.
 
During the next hour, Agent Curtis tried numerous times to contact Agent Starch by radio but was unsuccessful. He contacted Supervisory Border Patrol Agents and a ground and air search for Agent Starch was started.  Agent Curtis discovered Agent Starch at the base of a cliff. He had sustained severe injuries and was not breathing. Agent Curtis and others administered CPR. A medical helicopter from Mercy Air arrived at the scene, along with a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter. Because of the remoteness and the rough terrain, a higher medical authority could not arrive before dark. After nearly an hour of CPR, the attending Emergency Medical Technician consulted with the flight doctor from Mercy Air by radio and pronounced Agent Starch dead at the scene due to the severity of his injuries.  The next day, investigators determined that Agent Starch had accidentally fallen about 150 feet to this death. Agent Starch was a graduate of Texas Tech University and the Border Patrol Academy, Class 295. At the time of his death, he was assigned to the San Diego Sector, El Cajon Station, sign cutting unit.

We will never forget. Honor First, Honor Always.