A tragic incident unfolded near the Canadian border in Vermont, where a U.S. Border Patrol agent, identified as David Maland, lost his life during a traffic stop.
Maland, a military veteran who had served at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks, was remembered by his family as a "devoted agent who served with honor and bravery." The family statement, shared with The Associated Press, emphasized his "tremendous respect and pride for the work he did," highlighting his embodiment of "service over self."
According to the Associated Press, the fatal encounter occurred on Monday afternoon, resulting in the death of a German national who was in the United States on a valid visa, as confirmed by the FBI. Another suspect was apprehended and is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. The incident led to the temporary closure of a section of Interstate 91, approximately 20 miles from the Canadian border, in the small community of Orleans County, Vermont.
Maland's career was marked by a distinguished service record, including nine years in the U.S. Air Force and 15 years in federal government roles. His tenure with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) saw him stationed at the Newport Station within the Swanton Sector, which covers Vermont, parts of New York and New Hampshire, and includes a significant stretch of the U.S.-Canada border. "U.S. Customs and Border Protections thoughts and prayers are with Agent Malands family during this difficult time," the agency expressed in a statement. Vermont Governor Phil Scott and state Senator Russ Ingalls, a Republican, also acknowledged the tragedy.
Maland, a Minnesota native known to his family as Chris, was on the verge of proposing to his partner, according to his aunt, Joan Maland. She described him as an "exceptional person" and an "incredible man," expressing the family's devastation over his untimely death. His career included roles as a K-9 handler and service near the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
David Maland's death marks the first loss of a Border Patrol agent in the line of duty since 2014, when Agent Javier Vega Jr. was killed in Texas. The agency later reclassified Vega's death as occurring in the line of duty. Previous incidents involving Border Patrol agents include the 2010 killing of Brian Terry, which exposed the flawed "Fast and Furious" gun operation, and the 2012 death of Agent Nicholas J. Ivie in Arizona. In 2017, Agent Isaac Morales was fatally stabbed while off duty in Texas.
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