1947 – Anthony Oneto – Inspector – United States Border Patrol

Agent Anthony L. Oneto

Biographical Info:

Born: Unknown
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 6 years, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details:

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Location: California
Date of Incident: March 11, 1947
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Executed in 1948

Inspector Anthony Oneto was shot and killed after he and his partner arrested four illegal aliens and the man attempting to smuggle them through Indio, California. The two inspectors had placed the four illegal aliens in the back seat of their vehicle and instructed the suspected smuggler to drive his own car to the Border Patrol office. During the drive, the suspect stopped his vehicle and walked back to Inspector Oneto’s vehicle, which was following the suspect’s vehicle. The man said something to the two inspectors and then produced a .32 caliber handgun and opened fire on the two. Inspector Oneto was killed. Despite being wounded, his partner was able to return fire and wound the suspect. The partner also managed to keep custody of the four illegal aliens until assistance arrived. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and was executed in the gas chamber October 10, 1948. Inspector Oneto had served with the agency for 6.5 years.

Inspector Oneto’s burial site is not known.

Posted in End Of Watch.

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