In this chapter of our Fallen Heroes series, Iron Infidel pays tribute to United States Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. He was tragically shot and killed by a heavily armed RIP crew (illegal alien bandits) while on a mission in a remote canyon in southern Arizona, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Born in Michigan, Terry served in the U.S. Marine Corps and later worked as a police officer in Lincoln Park, Michigan. His commitment to service led him to join the U.S. Border Patrol, where he served for 3.5 years and became a member of the elite BORTAC unit, known for its rapid-response capability in various high-risk operations.
On December 14, 2010, Agent Brian Terry and his BORTAC team were conducting an operation in a remote canyon in southern Arizona, aiming to intercept a "rip crew"—a group of heavily armed bandits known for robbing smugglers crossing the border. The team soon spotted a group of men armed with AK-47-style rifles. As they moved to apprehend the suspects, a firefight broke out. During the exchange of gunfire, Agent Terry was struck in the back by a bullet that hit an area not protected by his bulletproof vest, causing critical injuries. Despite the swift medical aid provided by his fellow agents, Terry tragically passed away from his injuries early the next morning, on December 15, 2010.
Agent Brian Terry was posthumously awarded several honors for his bravery and service. Among these was the Congressional Badge of Bravery, which recognizes law enforcement officers for exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty. Additionally, a U.S. Border Patrol station in Bisbee, Arizona, was named in his honor, becoming the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station. This naming serves as a lasting tribute to his sacrifice and commitment to protecting the nation's borders.