A U.S. Border Patrol agent tragically lost his life in Vermont during a traffic stop near the border with Canada. The agent, identified as David Maland, was a military veteran who had served in security roles at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks, as reported by his family.
“He exemplified dedication and served with immense honor and bravery,” said a family statement shared on Tuesday. “His pride in his work was evident, and he genuinely represented service before self.”
Agent Maland, 44, was fatally shot Monday afternoon after he conducted a traffic stop. According to officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a German national in the country on a valid visa was also killed in the incident, while another suspect involved has been apprehended and is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital.
The incident caused part of Interstate 91, located approximately 20 miles from the Canadian border in Coventry, to be temporarily closed. Coventry is part of Orleans County, a small community in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom region that has a population of around 27,000 residents.
Agent Maland, who had confirmed ties to the U.S. Air Force, was killed near the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station, which is part of the Swanton Sector responsible for areas in Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. This sector spans a total of 295 miles of the international border with Canada.
The Derby Line-Rock Island Border Crossing is situated roughly 12 miles north of Coventry, serving as a vital connection to Quebec and contributing to the presence of French speakers in northern Vermont, making it differ from many other regions in New England.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection extends their heartfelt sympathies to Agent Maland’s family during this challenging time,” stated the agency. Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott, along with state Senator Russ Ingalls, expressed their sorrow over the tragic incident.
Maland’s family disclosed that his professional background included nine years of military service and 15 years in federal law enforcement. “While stationed in Washington, D.C., he served on active security detail at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks,” they shared.
Additionally, Maland was known to be a K-9 handler. Before moving to the northern border, he worked in Texas near the Mexican border. Originally from Minnesota, family members referred to him by his middle name, Chris, and according to his aunt, Joan Maland, he was planning to propose to his partner soon.
“Our family is heartbroken,” Joan stated in a text. She praised him as an “exceptional individual and an incredible man.”
David Maland’s passing marks the first time a Border Patrol agent has been killed in the line of duty since Javier Vega Jr. was shot near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014. Initial reports suggested Vega was off duty at the time, but this was reconsidered in 2016 when it was confirmed he was performing his duties.
Notably, the deaths of other agents, including Brian Terry in 2010 during a controversial gun operation known as “Fast and Furious,” and Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie, who was fatally wounded in Arizona in 2012, highlight the risks faced by those in border protection. Another tragic incident involved Agent Isaac Morales, who was fatally stabbed while off duty in Texas in 2017.
