On August 17, 1995, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Lawrence B. Pierce witnessed an altercation where a man was stabbed to death. Agent Pierce chased down the killer, identified himself as a law enforcement officer, and while attempting to disarm the killer, suffered wounds that resulted in his death. The killer was apprehended, convicted of murder, and was sentenced to 39 years to life in prison.

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Agent Pierce entered on duty with the U.S. Border Patrol on June 23, 1980, as a member of Academy Class 137. He was assigned to the Campo Station in the San Diego Sector. Agent Pierce was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the United States Border Patrol for over 15 years.