The mission of Border Patrol Foundation (BPF) is to honor the memory of fallen U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents and provide support and resources to the families. BPF provides support to Border Patrol employees, USBP agents and their families for on- and off-duty deaths, injuries, illnesses, family medical emergencies, special circumstances and student scholarships.
Thomas J. Williams
End of Watch
October 20, 1998
On Tuesday October 20, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., Senior Patrol Agents Thomas J. Williams and Jesus De La Ossa were traveling to San Diego after successfully completing the Border Patrol Academy Instructor's Course. They were involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle and lost their lives in the accident. The accident happened about 15 miles west of Artesia, New Mexico.
Agent Williams was born in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. He graduated from Western Illinois University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in criminal justice. He served in the Navy for four years, two of which were served on the submarine USS Henry Clay. At the time of his death, his official station was Brown Field, California. He was a graduate of the 266th session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy in Glynco, Georgia.