Former head of Yuma BP retiring
The chief patrol agent in charge of the U.S. Border Patrol's Yuma Sector for over two years, from March 2005 through July 2007, announced last week that he will retire from government service next month.
After 31 years of dedicated service, Deputy Chief Ronald S. Colburn will be retiring from the U.S. Border Patrol, which is a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in early November.
“Deputy Chief Colburn truly epitomizes the Border Patrol,” stated David V. Aguilar, national chief of the Border Patrol. “He has been a strong and visionary leader for the Border Patrol for many years and has been instrumental in developing and implementing strategies that have strengthened control of our borders and the security of our nation.”
In July 2007, Colburn was appointed as the senior executive service deputy chief of the U.S. Border Patrol and the second highest-ranking official in the Border Patrol.
Colburn began his career with the Border Patrol in 1978 as an agent in Douglas, Ariz.
He was quickly promoted through the ranks, adding more duties, responsibilities and hours to his work day as the Border Patrol grew in size and sophistication.
Then in January 1983, he was promoted to supervisory Border Patrol agent and served as a law instructor and course developer at the Border Patrol Academy.
The following year, in May of 1984, Colburn became a founding member of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), that soon gained the reputation as one of the premier tactical units in law enforcement.
He also served as a team leader on numerous missions, both domestically and internationally. From 1992 to 1994 he served as a field operations supervisor at BORTAC Headquarters in El Paso, Texas.
In his 31 years of service, Colburn served in many different leadership roles in New York, Texas and Arizona before transferring to Washington, D.C., as an associate chief at Border Patrol Headquarters in 2002.
During that time, he worked as the director of law enforcement on the Homeland Security Council – Executive Office of the President. In this capacity, he worked in the White House and developed policy and crafted national law enforcement initiatives.
Colburn witnessed firsthand the drafting and passage of the Homeland Security Act.
On one of two visits, President George W. Bush visited the Yuma Sector during Colburn's command and led the dedication ceremony for the new Yuma Station.
According to a news release, the Colburn family has a uniquely personal connection with the U.S. Border Patrol and its history.
Beginning in the early 1900s, William Colburn, the deputy’s grandfather, patrolled the border on horseback as a member of the Mounted Guard.
In 1956, his father, Richard, followed suit and joined the Border Patrol, serving in various positions until 1981.
Lastly, Colburn's son entered on duty as a fourth-generation agent in June 2003 and is currently serving as a supervisor in Arizona.
Upon his retirement, Colburn will reside with his family in Arizona.
“I look forward to returning to Arizona and once again seeing my good friends in Yuma. As chief patrol agent of the Yuma Border Patrol Sector, I gained some of my fondest memories, such as the dedication of the new Yuma Station in 2007 by the president of the United States during his second visit to the area," said Colburn, who made a special point of notifying the Yuma area.
"Those were times of high activity, loaded with danger, crime and adventure along our border, and the Border Patrol did not have to go it alone, because the communities of Yuma, San Luis and Andrade stood with us.
"What a partnership! It is an honor to have served with some of the finest men and women in law enforcement and I retire with the knowledge and confidence that our country’s borders are protected by the very best."
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
