Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Bokinskie,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country and to the Service. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 24, 2024

I joined CBP’s (US Customs and Border Protection) elite Honor Guard Team this past week. I was honored to be given US Customs Service Patrol Officer Charles Bokinskie as my silent partner.

Officer Bokinskie still silently patrols with me during my duty day as I conduct stops for drugs and Narcotics. His legacy will never be forgotten.

Daniel Newby
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

March 11, 2023

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always and may God Bless your family and loved ones always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 24, 2021

I believe that Charles Bokinskie was a member of my squad of Military Police at Site Pluto, 69th Ordinance Company, Longare, Italy (1966 to 1968). I 'Googled his name and found this link. Sorry for this officer's loss. If he is the same "Chuck" Bokinskie who was on my squad I remember him as a good soldier with whom we all experienced good times and camaraderie together. We were physical security guards together at the Site.

Robert A. Stoll, Jr.
SGT, U.S.Army MP Corps 1966-1969

October 4, 2020

A video of the memorial dedication for Bud and Bo
https://youtu.be/zRzqwNbiqTU

Nigel Brooks Special Agent (RETIRED)
US Customs Svc

December 5, 2019

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 24, 2013

I knew Chuck Bokinskie when we attended St. Joseph's School in Ogden, Utah. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and made friends easily. I entered government service and about a year after reading about his tragic death I was offered the opportunity to become a Customs Patrol Officer in Arizona. During my time in Arizona the names of Bokinskie and Dixon were often mentioned by other officers who knew and loved them. They are true heroes who paid the ultimate price to protect this country.

Senior Special Agent
U.S. Customs Service (Retired), May 3, 2001

April 21, 2013

Rest in peace, Officer Bokinskie and Officer Dixon, your sacrifices have not been forgotten. Know that your service is still remembered to this day in the Nogales law enforcement community.

SSA Willey, please contact me through this site if you read this, I am very interested in speaking to someone who knew and served with these fine officers. Our office would like to work with you in honoring the memories of CPO Bokinskie and CPO Dixon here in Nogales. My official email address is on record with ODMP.

Special Agent Mike Monahan
ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
Nogales, AZ

Special Agent Mike Monahan
U.S. ICE Homeland Security Investigations

September 19, 2011

Customs Patrol Officer (CPO) Charles J. Bokinskie (Bo) was my roommate and CPO Lewis D. Dixon (Bud) was a good friend.

I first met Chuck in San Francisco in 1971. We were both Sky Marshals and shared common interests. Both of us were from Utah; he from Ogden and me from Syracuse. In March 1972, we became roommates and rented an apartment in Foster City, CA.

Bo was a terrific person! He was fun loving, good looking, and unpretentious. He was the first real chick magnet I ever met. I don't know what it was about him, but they sure gravitated towards him. One of those girls was a Pan Am stewardess (they weren't called flight attendants back then), name Linda Galko. They fell in love and were engaged to get married before Chuck was killed.

Chuck thought the world of his Dad, Mom, and brothers. He was an avid outdoors man who loved to hunt and fish. he lived for the times he and his Dad would go on their annual hunts. Chuck had a goal to become a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent, but never got the chance to apply for the job.

Chuck inspired me to use my GI Bill get back into college. We both attended San Mateo Community College.

In Dec 1973, we were offered and accepted positions in Nogales, AZ. It was there we we met Louis "Bud" Dixon and his family. Bud had been a North Carolina State Trooper before going to work for U.S. Customs and was a veteran law enforcement officer with a lot of field experience. Bud and Bo hit it off right away and chose to become partners. They were very good at what they did and lead the office in seizures.

They left for their last shift directly from the house Bo and I were renting. Bud and his family, CPO Bernie Gutierrez and his wife, Chuck and his fiancee Linda,and I had a late afternoon BBQ before the two of them headed off to the San Rafael Valley never to return.

I think of Bud and Bo a lot. They were both men of the highest caliber and integrity. Men to be emulated.

I have several newspaper articles regarding the shooting. One of them has pictures of both Bud and Bo that can be added to their memorial pages. I just need to know how I can email them to you as attachments.

Senior Special Agent Joe Willey
U.S. Customs Service (Retired)

January 28, 2011

Your heroism and service is honored today as we approach the 35th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer, years after you were killed.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

April 12, 2009

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been a long time since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Officer Bokinskie.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 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 31, 2008

This man worked and died with my grandfather Louis Dixon. I never met either of them but I hope to one day. I greatly appreciate what they have done for this country and I have decided to do the same. I have joined the Air Force so that I can try to better relate to what my grandfater and this fine man have done for this country. It is people like this that have made it possible for us as indiviuals who live in the United States to have everything we do today. I just want to thank evryone who has or will Fight for this country.

A1C Michael D Dixon Jr.

December 18, 2007

I was a Deputy Sheriff with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office when this happened and was at the scene. These officers must be remembered for their heroic actions and for their sacrifice in what they believed.

Luther Parker

Luther Parker, Enforcement Agent
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

December 8, 2006

Your father joined you two weeks ago. Take care of him for he's at peace now after 32 years. Thanks for watching him.

Old friend

May 3, 2006

Officer Bokinskie,
On today, the 31st anniversary of you and your partner's murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Nation. As A Border Patrol Agent, I know what it's like to be patrolling the border and how lonely it can be when you need backup.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

April 24, 2005