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A U.S. Border Patrol agent who lost his life during a traffic stop near Vermont’s Canadian border was a military veteran who had served in security at the Pentagon during the 9/11 attacks, his family revealed.
“David Maland was a dedicated agent who carried out his duties with honor and courage,” the family stated in a message shared with The Associated Press on Tuesday evening. “His commitment to service was unparalleled, and he took immense pride in his work, always prioritizing others above himself.”
Agent Maland, 44, was killed Monday afternoon during the incident, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A German national in the U.S. on a valid visa also died in the encounter, while another suspect was injured, detained, and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.
The incident briefly shut down a section of Interstate 91 near Coventry, Vermont, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Coventry lies within Orleans County, home to about 27,000 residents in the scenic Northeast Kingdom, a region straddling the U.S.-Canada boundary.
The FBI confirmed that Maland, an Air Force veteran, was killed near the CBP Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector. This sector covers Vermont, sections of New York and New Hampshire, and 295 miles (475 kilometers) of the U.S.-Canada border. The nearby Derby Line–Rock Island Border Crossing, just 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of Coventry, connects Vermont to Quebec and highlights the region’s significant French-speaking population.
“Our hearts go out to Agent Maland’s family during this tragic time,” CBP said in a statement. Governor Phil Scott and state Senator Russ Ingalls expressed their condolences, calling the loss a profound tragedy for the community.
Maland’s family detailed his impressive career, which included nine years in the military and 15 years with the federal government.
“While stationed in Washington, D.C., he played an active role in Pentagon security during the events of 9/11,” the family shared.
The Minnesota native, affectionately called “Chris” by his family, had been a K-9 handler and previously served along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas before transferring to the northern border. He was preparing to propose to his partner, his aunt, Joan Maland, told AP. “We are heartbroken,” she said, describing him as an “extraordinary and compassionate individual.”
Maland’s death marks the first Border Patrol agent killed in the line of duty since Javier Vega Jr. was fatally shot near Santa Monica, Texas, in 2014. Vega’s death, initially deemed off-duty, was later classified as in the line of duty in 2016.
The tragic loss of agents in recent years underscores the risks they face. Notable incidents include the 2010 death of Brian Terry, which brought attention to the botched “Fast and Furious” gun operation, and the 2012 shooting of Nicholas J. Ivie near Bisbee, Arizona. In 2017, Isaac Morales, another agent, was fatally stabbed while off duty in Texas.
APF
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