Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The U.S. Border Patrol will honor Joseph Riley, a Nebraskan who was the first agent on the northern border to die in the line of duty, as the centennial anniversary of his death approaches. Riley died on April 6, 1925, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Washington, after sustaining fatal injuries in a car accident during a high-speed pursuit near Eureka, Montana.

Joseph Riley’s gravestone, though weathered from a century of Nebraska's harsh weather, still bears his name at St. James Cemetery in Cortland. His service with the U.S. Border Patrol lasted only seven months. Agent Nathan Albertson, who has been with the Border Patrol since 1997, has researched extensively to uncover Riley's history.

"The very basic job that he had was to go out along the international boundary and try to locate individuals who may have entered the country illegally by circumventing the ports of entry," Albertson said. "That was the very basis of his job, and quite frankly, is the very basis of our job today."

Before his death, Riley and his partner, William Blundell, pursued a vehicle suspected of crossing the border illegally. The tie rod on their car broke, leading to a crash. While Blundell survived with minor injuries, Riley suffered a cervical spine injury and later passed away in Spokane.

“In the many hours of work Albertson has put in researching Joseph Riley, he has developed a special appreciation for him as a person," said Albertson, highlighting Riley's contributions and service background.

Riley was born in Princeton, Nebraska, in 1894. His mother was active in local Catholic organizations, and he joined the Knights of Columbus in Beatrice in 1917. Riley enlisted in the Navy during World War I and later joined his family in Nebraska post-war, eventually moving to Colorado and then Montana to work as a Border Patrol inspector.

Brock Lohr, grand knight of the Beatrice Knights of Columbus council, commented on finding historical records but not about Riley. “We will have a council meeting on April 3, and I will be bringing all of this history to the council in celebration of all of the great brother knights who have come before us to sacrifice and lift our order to new heights,” Lohr stated.

A memorial for Riley was established in 2006 in front of the Border Patrol station in Eureka, Montana. His story will be shared with current agents as part of the centennial remembrance. Albertson is working to identify the location of Riley's accident for a historical marker.

Albertson shared that remembering Riley's service through various ceremonies reflects the Border Patrol's "unofficial never forgotten code." He expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by officers like Riley.

“The whole idea is to just ensure that we do not forget those who have given their lives in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives for the greater good of the nation," he said. Albertson acknowledged the continuous sacrifices by Border Patrol agents today, noting, "When you join the Border Patrol, you know very well that there are a lot of outcomes that can occur with a law enforcement career, and yet these men and women still serve."

The Border Patrol plans to honor Riley's memory with private ceremonies and during Police Week in Washington, D.C.