Support for Sanderson's Border Patrol Tornado-hit Families

Hello everyone reading this. I wish I wasn't having to write this, but tragedy strikes when we usually least expect it. On June 2nd, 2024, at 7:20 p.m., two tornadoes struck our little town of Sanderson, TX. Leaving in their path a wake of destruction, pain, and suffering. Caught in the path of the larger (NOAA EF-3) tornado were four of our U.S. Border Patrol Families.

Let me give y'all a little backstory on each of the families that are in need of our help. The first family that got hit are the Smith’s. Agent Caleb Smith’s wife and two sons were in their home when the tornado struck, losing their entire home and all of their personal belongings, including one of their vehicles. Despite the massive destruction of their home, Smith’s family walked away with minor cuts and scrapes by the grace of God! Agent Smith has been a Border Patrol Agent in Sanderson for over 16 years, much of that time has been spent training our new recruits as a Field Training Officer. Some of which were victims of this tragedy.

The second Agent, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Fernando (Ferni) Sanchez Jr., has been in Sanderson for 17 years. Ferni’s family lost an entire new building they had purchased and a shed with all the contents inside of both, along with one of their vehicles with damage to another and a multitude of damage to their home and belongings. Ferni is very active in the local community, donating his off time to the kids of Sanderson by being a long-standing member of the Sanderson School Board. There is no one who cares more or does more for his kids and the community than Fernando Sanchez Jr.

The last two Agents that were affected by this disaster are Jonathan Vasquez and Mario Camacho. Both Agents lived with Agent Barraza, which we have a separate fundraiser for due to his extensive injuries, losses, and medical expenses he will be faced with. Fortunately for Vasquez and Camacho, they were not at their residence when disaster struck, but both Agents lost all their personal belongings. Jonathan has been in the Patrol for 3 years and was an advanced EMT prior to joining the Patrol. Jonathan now devotes his off time to volunteering with the local EMS in Sanderson, providing much-needed assistance with our small town's medical services. Mario has been in the Patrol for 2 years now and has spent a majority of his time assisting other Sectors that have been overrun and have been requesting help from Agents around the Country. These gentlemen are a staple in our community and a blessing to our Country for their dedication to their job and how they devote their personal time to others.

Now they are in need of our help desperately! I am the Vice President of the Sanderson Border Patrol Station MWR (Morale Welfare and Recreation) asking everyone to please donate anything you can to help these amazing families during this trying time they are facing.