A tragic incident unfolded in Vermont when a U.S. Border Patrol agent, identified as David Maland, was fatally shot during a traffic stop close to the Canadian border. This loss hits particularly hard as Maland, age 44, was not only a dedicated law enforcement officer but also a military veteran who provided security at the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks, as informed by his family.
“The agent was a man of honor and bravery, dedicated to his work,” the family expressed in a heartfelt statement. “He held a tremendous respect and pride for his service, truly exemplifying a commitment to putting others before himself.” According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Maland’s life was cut short on Monday afternoon following a routine traffic stop. A German national, on a valid visa, was killed in the same incident, while an injured suspect has been apprehended and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The violent encounter necessitated the temporary closure of a stretch of Interstate 91, situated about 20 miles from the Canadian border in Coventry—a small community with roughly 27,000 residents in Orleans County, located in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Maland was killed in proximity to the Newport Station of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Swanton Sector. This sector encompasses not only Vermont but also parts of New York and New Hampshire, managing a significant 295 miles of the U.S.-Canada border.
The Derby Line–Rock Island Border Crossing, a vital route to Quebec, is situated approximately 12 miles north of Coventry along the highway. This area is known for its French-speaking population, which is more prevalent than in much of New England. In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection expressed their condolences, stating, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Agent Maland’s family during this difficult period.” Vermont Governor Phil Scott and State Senator Russ Ingalls, a Republican representative for the region, lamented the tragic event with deep sorrow.
Maland’s family revealed that he had a distinguished career, comprising nine years in the military and 15 years in federal service. They shared that during his time in Washington, D.C., he was part of security operations at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Following the attacks, Maland was tasked with guarding a military undersecretary for several days in a bunker located at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, southeast of Washington, D.C.
Additionally, Maland was recognized as a K-9 handler and previously served near the Mexico border in Texas before his assignment at the northern border. A Minnesota native, he was affectionately known by his middle name, Chris, and was reportedly planning to propose to his partner, according to his aunt, Joan Maland. “We are all devastated,” she shared in a text, describing him as an “exceptional person” and an “incredible man.”
Notably, David Maland becomes the first Border Patrol agent to lose his life in the line of duty since the shooting of Javier Vega Jr. near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014. Initially considered off duty when he was killed, that incident was later reclassified as occurring in the line of duty in 2016, according to agency records. The history of Border Patrol tragedies also includes the deaths of agents in other incidents, such as Brian Terry’s 2010 killing connected to a failed federal operation and the fatal wounding of Nicholas J. Ivie in 2012. In 2017, agent Isaac Morales was tragically murdered while off duty in Texas.
