Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Pilot Smith,
On today, the 45th anniversary of your death would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just when you served with the Border Patrol but also when you served with the U.S. Army as well. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

October 19, 2024

Rest in peace Pilot Smith.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 14, 2019

Pilot Smith,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Patrol. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

A fellow BPA

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

October 19, 2019

To the Border Patrolman who is Weldon Smith's 'silent partner'.... Thank you so much. Like so many others, Weldon left us too soon, but we know he is in a far better place and was doing what he loved to do. I think of the courageous officers (men and women) who work 24/7 to keep us safe during this crisis on our southern Border. May God bless each of you... and our President who is trying to get a Border Wall completed.

Gwen (Smith) McJunkins
Sister

March 17, 2019

Border Patrol Agent Pilot Weldon Smith is my assigned Silent Partner for the Border Patrol Academy, class 1097. I am tasked with learning about him and carrying his Fallen Hero card with me throughout my career. I am writing a memo about him as well. I have nothing but the highest level of respect for Agent Weldon Smith. I read through comments left on this page describing those close to Agent Smith and I was able to get a much better idea of who Weldon Smith was. May he Rest in peace forever. We must honor the fallen by training the living, and of course never forget them.

BPA(T) Richard D. Kemp
Border Patrol Academy

July 1, 2018

I met Weldon in September of 1975, when I started working for Air Central in Harlingen. Weldon was working on an instrument rating and I was one of the instructors that flew with him. I was fresh out of the US Army and a new instructor, and I always thought the Chief Pilot would schedule me with Weldon when he could because Weldon was very good applying what was taught plus he was just a "hoot" to fly with. In those few months of flying together he taught me a lot of discipline that carried me though my career in a cockpit; he taught me how to respect others and he taught me that laughter IS the best medicine.

In 1976, I left Harlingen as I started moving along the stepping stones that build a career in aviation and never saw Weldon again. It was probably 10 years after his accident that I heard about it when I crossed paths with another aviator that had also started his career in the Valley. Even though I hadn't seen Weldon in all that time, I was heartbroken for his loss as he had always been there in my mind from the time that I met him. I was heartbroken for his family as well as I actually had met his wife and son. I'm not sure of the details of the meet anymore because of how long ago it was but I know I ended up at his house with him. With Weldon, I can only image what caused the two of us to be at his home given that I was just a flight instructor but this is part of the memory that I have of him; he was always spontaneous and fun to be with. To this day, I remember a very nice looking women and wondering what on earth she was doing with Weldon. The fact that his wife was not upset with us just dropping in and all the laughter that was taking place is a part of me that has never gone away. I also remember his son, a toddler in diapers, and now see that his dad must have been instrumental in Jason's choice of career.

I've been retired from Southwest Airlines for a year now and was reflecting on that event and thinking of the individuals that had influenced me the most and Google lead me to his memorial. I felt I had to share my reflection on Weldon so that you know that he influenced me and I'm sure many others even if the relationship was brief. JoAnn and Jason, know that you too as well have been held in thought and prayer by a stranger for these many years. I also now know that Sherri and another child was a part of Weldon and I'm sorry for your loss of your father.

Capt Michael Reamy (Ret)
Friend ~ Southwest Airlines

October 21, 2015

Remembering with Love...a father that left us all too soon

Sherri
Daughter

October 19, 2012

Pilot Smith,
Sir, it has been 33 years since your End of Watch and you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Patrol. and to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

A fellow BPA

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

October 19, 2012

Thank you, Mr. Smith, for your service! Thank you for your daughter, PJ Lucas...now my sister-in-law. You've given her your good looks and smile! I wish I could have known you. God bless and keep your family on this special day.

K Lucas

August 22, 2012

Just remembering my dad..and those who remember him best.

PJ Lucas
daughter

August 22, 2012

Today we remember Border Patrol Pilot Weldon Smith and honor your service and sacrifice.

SBPA D.S.
CBP Arizona

October 19, 2011

My younger brother is named Terry... So perhaps that is why I feel a special kinship to Brian Terry's family....


We play such stupid games. Agent Terry, please seek out Agent Pilot Weldon Smith. He will make you laugh while you await your family....

Capt. Jason Weldon Smith
Son of USBP Pilot Weldon Smith

August 20, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirtieth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

To your family: I understand the meaning of lives forever altered and know that when you lose someone so precious to you that the pain never goes away...the pain and the pride is forever. I pray for your solace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 19, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirtieth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace.

To your family: I understand the meaning of lives forever altered and know that when you lose someone so precious to you that the pain never goes away...the pain and the pride is forever. I pray for your solace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 19, 2009

As I look at the faces of the men and women here, I see the faces of my co-workers. I can imagine each of them shooting the bull and swapping war stories at choir practice as the meat sizzles on the grill. I see them laughing, pranking and teasing their fellow agents, as we often do when we relieve stress. I wish that each of them were still here to share the good times.

And I feel compelled to look at each of the faces here and remember…to remember that each of them made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country and we should NEVER forget them or their service.

Too often the sacrifices of those who serve our country are overlooked or casually dismissed by the very public they served so selflessly. But WE should never forget them…each and every one of them. May they each rest in peace eternally in God’s loving embrace.

SBPA James Doran
US Border Patrol

July 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 18, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
nh

October 16, 2007

Pilot Smith,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death, I would like to say thank you for your service to the Patrol and to our Country.

R.I.P.
A fellow BPA

October 19, 2005

Weldon was my father. I am his oldest son. It is hard to imagine a kid who got more out of his dad for twenty years as I got out of mine in six.

I am commercial jet pilot now with a wife and two kids doing my best to care for them as my parents did for me. All of that started with my dad in a little Ercoupe and later a Piper Tri-Pacer. I flew everywhere with him from the earliest age. Even the non-human member of our family, Misty, a Doberman he raised as my protector and best friend, rode home on my lap in the Tri-Pacer with dad.

From Confederate Air Force "Airsho's" in Harlingen, Texas every October, to daily visits out to the Border Patrol Sector Headquarters in McAllen... Trips in his old yellow '69 Dodge Charger (affectionately referred to by the Agents in McAllen as "Ol' Yeller") all over the place, to "loafing" on the couch watching the Wile E. Coyote chase the Road Runner (or my favorite: watching "Black Sheep Squadron" on the Reynosa, Mexico TV station when it was pulled off the air in the states - each word dutifully translated from Spanish to English for my benefit), my dad was one heck of a great father.

It is a shame that it seems he, like so many others, died so needlessly.

God bless you, sir. You are in a better place than the rest of us, as you deserve to be.

Semper Fi!

Capt. Jason Smith
Aviation - Civilian

June 18, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

October 19, 2004

Rest in peace brother in green.

V-28 SBPA
USBP

October 19, 2004

Weldon was only 40 when he was killed. Our children were 6, 3, 1. They missed out on a lot, they were so young. Weldon died doing what he loved to do and that is something that not everyone can say about their life. He was a funny man and well loved by those that served with him.

JoAnn Smith, wife

May 7, 2004