Border Patrol Inspector James Martin Kirchner

James Martin Kirchner

Border Patrol Inspector James Kirchner suffered a fatal heart attack while he and his training officer were investigating the sighting of three suspicious men walking near the Mexican border on Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico.

The training officer sent Inspector Kirchner to cut off the suspects at the top of the mountain. The training officer intercepted the three men and determined they were U.S. citizens. He then signaled Inspector Kirchner to return to the scene. After Inspector Kirchner failed to return his partner began to search for him and found him dead near the railroad tracks.

It was determined he died of a heart attack despite having completed a rigorous physical examination prior to joining the agency.

Inspector Kirchner had served with the United States Border Patrol for two weeks. He was survived by his wife. He was buried in Carthage, Missouri.