A U.S. Border Patrol agent, who was a war veteran and worked security at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks, was killed in Vermont during a traffic stop near the Canadian border, according to his family.
A family statement given to The Associated Press late Tuesday said, “He was a dedicated agent who served with honor and courage.” “He cared a lot about his work and was proud of it; he put others before himself.”
Agent David Maland, 44, was killed on Monday afternoon after a traffic stop, according to a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A German citizen with a valid visa was killed, and an injured suspect has been arrested and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The unrest caused part of Interstate 91 to close for a short time, about 20 miles from Canada, in Coventry. This is in Orleans County, Vermont, which has about 27,000 residents and is located near the border.
Maland had many chances for promotion but turned them down to stay in the field, said his cousin, Minnesota state Rep. Krista Knudsen. She honored Chris, a native of Minnesota, on the House floor Wednesday, and then everyone paused for a moment of silence.
“Knudsen, a Republican from Lake Shore, said, ‘He will be remembered for his bravery and dedication to keeping Americans safe.'” “He is someone who served faithfully with honor and courage.” He always prioritized helping others over his own needs.
Maland, a U.S. Air Force veteran reported by the FBI, was killed near the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station, where he worked in the Swanton Sector. The area includes Vermont, parts of New York and New Hampshire, and has a 295-mile (475-kilometer) border with Canada.
The Derby Line–Rock Island Border Crossing is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of Coventry by road. It connects to Quebec, Canada, which means northern Vermont has more French people than most of New England.
Maland’s family said he worked for nine years in the military and 15 years in the federal government. On September 11, 2001, he worked at the Pentagon. When the terrorist attacks happened, he was assigned to protect an undersecretary from one of the military branches for a few days at a bunker in Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, located in southeast Washington.
Maland was a K-9 handler who worked in Texas, close to the Mexico border, before moving to the northern border. His aunt, Joan Maland, said he was going to ask his partner to marry him.
“We are all heartbroken,” she said in a text to AP. She said he was an “exceptional person.” “Amazing man.”
Knudsen mentioned that she and Maland both grew up in Fairmont, Minnesota, where Maland finished high school in 1999.
“Chris was an amazing person and will be greatly missed.” She said, “I appreciate his service, and I know he was proud of it.” “Our family is really sad.” He died while protecting our country. We will remember him fondly and feel sad about his loss. Until we meet again, Godspeed, you good and faithful servant.”
Maland was the first Border Patrol agent to be killed on the job since Javier Vega Jr. was shot near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Vega was first thought to be off duty when he died, but in 2016, it was decided that he was actually on duty at that time, according to the agency.
In 2010, the murder of Brian Terry revealed problems with a government gun operation called “Fast and Furious.” Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie was fatally injured while on duty in a rural area near Bisbee, Arizona, in 2012. Border Patrol Agent Isaac Morales was killed by a stabbing while he was off duty in Texas in 2017.
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