Murrieta Border Patrol Station Gets New Chief

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A new Chief Patrol Agent has been appointed to oversee Border Patrol stations across a large swath of Southern California, including Murrieta.

On Monday, it was announced that Justin M. De La Torre will serve in the top job for the U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector.

In addition to the Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak Station at 25762 Madison Avenue in Murrieta, other Border Patrol stations within the San Diego Sector include Imperial Beach, Brown Field, Campo, San Clemente, El Cajon, Chula Vista, and Boulevard.

De La Torre is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol and has a deep connection to San Diego: He grew up there and began his career at the Imperial Beach Station on Jan. 24, 2000.

"It’s an honor to return to the Sector where my career began," De La Torre said in a released statement. "The men and women of San Diego Sector have profoundly shaped my leadership by exemplifying our motto of 'Honor First' in every aspect of their service. Their dedication to the common good of the American people, both here in San Diego and across the nation, has strengthened my commitment to our mission."

De La Torre has served in a variety of specialized assignments, including the All-Terrain Vehicle Unit, the Alien Smuggler Identification and Deterrence program, the Sector Public Affairs Office, the San Diego Sector Air Mobile Unit, and the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, according to a U.S. Border Patrol news release.

He's held numerous leadership positions, including tenures in three different southwestern border sectors and USBP headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Prior to accepting the position of Chief Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector, De La Torre served in the same position for the Yuma Sector.

Acting San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker will remain in San Diego as the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent.

The San Diego Sector encompasses 56,831 square miles of coastal beaches and expansive mesas that lead to coastal and inland mountains, canyons, and high desert.

The Theodore L. Newton, Jr. and George F. Azrak Border Patrol Station in Murrieta is named after two Patrol Inspectors who were murdered in the line of duty on June 17, 1967. The Newton-Azrak Station is best known for its Temecula Border Patrol Checkpoint, which was originally established in May 1924.

Today, the Newton-Azrak Station is responsible for an operational area covering 3,800 square miles. The station maintains the Interstate 15 checkpoint, a secondary checkpoint on South Highway 79, and several tactical checkpoints.