A U.S. Border Patrol agent who was shot and killed in northern Vermont near the Canadian border on Monday was a military veteran who worked security at the Pentagon during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, his family said on Tuesday.
Minnesota native David Maland was fatally shot on Monday afternoon during a traffic stop, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson confirmed.
The shooting occurred on Interstate 91 about 20 miles from Canada in Coventry, part of the small, 27,000-resident community of Orleans County in the Northeast Kingdom section of Vermont that spans the international border.
The incident also resulted in the death of a German national who was in the country on what the FBI called a current visa. Another individual—a suspect in the shooting—was also injured and was taken into custody. The suspect is currently being treated at a local hospital.
It is not clear what prompted the shootout and authorities have not yet released the identity of the German national or the injured person.
“He was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery,” his family said in a statement. “He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self.”
Maland was killed close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector that he was assigned to. The Swanton Sector is responsible for patrolling Vermont and portions of New York and New Hampshire. It includes 295 miles of international boundary with Canada.
The agency said Maland began his career with CBP in 2015 as part of the 1065th Session of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy.
Maland’s family said that his career spanned nine years in the military and 15 years in the federal government.
They said his duty station was the Pentagon during the 9/11 terror attacks, and that when news of the attacks broke, he was sent to guard an undersecretary to one of the branches of the military for several days at a bunker at the Joint Base-Anacostia Bolling, in southeast Washington.
Minnesota Lawmaker Pays Tribute to Cousin
Maland was a relative of Minnesota state Rep. Krista Knudsen, a Republican from Lake Shore.Knudsen paid tribute to her cousin during a speech delivered on the House floor on Wednesday. She told her fellow lawmakers that Maland had many chances for promotion within CBP but turned them down to stay in the field.
“He will be remembered for his courage and commitment to protecting fellow Americans,” Knudsen said. “He is also a person who served faithfully with honor and bravery. He always put his service above himself.”
Lawmakers observed a moment of silence for Maland.
His aunt, Joan Maland, said that he was about to propose marriage to his partner.
“Chris was an incredible man and will be missed dearly. I am grateful for his service and I know he was very proud of it,” she said. “Our family is heartbroken. He died in the line of duty, serving to protect our country. We will cherish his memories and mourn his sacrifice. Until we meet again, Godspeed, you good and faithful servant.”
“We must never forget that the men and women in green on the frontlines of this border crisis defend our homeland at great personal cost,” the lawmaker said. “Far too often these courageous public servants, like Agent Maland, pay the ultimate price. ”
