A U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot during a traffic stop near the Canadian border in Vermont was a military veteran who had served as a security officer at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attacks, his family revealed.
“He was a dedicated agent who served with honor and bravery,” the family said in a statement provided to The Associated Press on Tuesday. “He took immense pride in his work and truly exemplified service above self.”
Agent David Maland, 44, was killed Monday afternoon during the traffic stop, according to a statement from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson.
A German national, identified by the FBI as being in the U.S. on a valid visa, was also killed, while another suspect was injured, taken into custody, and is now receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.
The incident led to a temporary closure of part of Interstate 91, roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the Canadian border in Coventry, Vermont. The area, part of the 27,000-resident Orleans County in the state’s Northeast Kingdom, lies along the international border.
Maland’s cousin, Minnesota state Rep. Krista Knudsen, shared that he had repeatedly declined promotions to remain in the field, demonstrating his deep commitment to his work.
Knudsen honored the Minnesota native, who was affectionately known as Chris, during a tribute on the House floor Wednesday, where lawmakers observed a moment of silence in his memory.
