U.S. Border Patrol Dedicates Memorial to First Agent Killed in Line of Duty

June 17, 2010 - Grand Island, N.Y. – On Saturday, June 26, the U.S. Border Patrol will host a memorial dedication ceremony at Beaver Island State Park in honor of Patrol Inspector Frank Vidmar Jr., who lost his life in 1932 while attempting to apprehend smugglers near the U.S.- Canadian border.

On the morning of March 24, 1932, while giving chase to a trio of known rum runners, the automobile in which Vidmar was a passenger collided with a Riverview trolley in Lewiston. Vidmar passed away several hours later from his injuries.

Vidmar, who was 31 years old at the time of his death, joined the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Niagara Falls sector in 1931. He was survived by his expectant wife, Ruth Vidmar, who gave birth to his only child, a daughter, several months after his death.

The U.S. Border Patrol was unaware until recently that Vidmar had a daughter. The memorial dedication ceremony for Vidmar is the first official opportunity for the U.S. Border Patrol to express their gratitude to his daughter. The U.S. Border Patrol dedicated a patrol vessel to Vidmar in 2004.

Office of Border Patrol delegates from Washington and 13 of Vidmar’s direct descendants are expected to be in attendance.

The event will be held at 10:45 a.m. on June 26 at Beaver Island, Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island, N.Y.