Governor Walz orders flags to fly at half-staff in honor and memory of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
Feb 21, 2025 08:49AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Paul Weaver
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 21, 2025
Governor Tim Walz has ordered all US and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at state buildings throughout the state from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in honor and memory of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland.
Maland, who was 44 when he died, was shot during a traffic stop last month in Vermont near the Canadian border. The suspect, a 21-year-old woman from Washington, was traveling with a man from Germany whose visa was in question. According to a release from the FBI, the couple had been under surveillance by state and federal officials after "a hotel employee expressed concern about them being dressed in tactical clothing and protective gear, while also being armed" and "wrapping unidentifiable objects with aluminum foil" while sitting in a Walmart parking lot.
When Maland stopped the couple, the 21-year-old woman allegedly began firing at him and other border patrol officers. The German man appeared to attempt to reach for a weapon but was shot and killed by officers. The 21-year-old woman was shot, injured, and taken to the hospital and has since been charged with one count of using a deadly weapon while assaulting a United States Border Patrol agent and one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to that assault.
Family members of Maland shared that he was born in Blue Earth and raised in Fairmount, MN. He was a US Air Force Veteran and worked at the Pentagon when during 9/11. After the military, he served in the State Department. On Saturday, he will be interned at Fort Snelling National Cemetary with full military honors.
Governor Tim Walz has ordered all US and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at state buildings throughout the state from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in honor and memory of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland.
Maland, who was 44 when he died, was shot during a traffic stop last month in Vermont near the Canadian border. The suspect, a 21-year-old woman from Washington, was traveling with a man from Germany whose visa was in question. According to a release from the FBI, the couple had been under surveillance by state and federal officials after "a hotel employee expressed concern about them being dressed in tactical clothing and protective gear, while also being armed" and "wrapping unidentifiable objects with aluminum foil" while sitting in a Walmart parking lot.
When Maland stopped the couple, the 21-year-old woman allegedly began firing at him and other border patrol officers. The German man appeared to attempt to reach for a weapon but was shot and killed by officers. The 21-year-old woman was shot, injured, and taken to the hospital and has since been charged with one count of using a deadly weapon while assaulting a United States Border Patrol agent and one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to that assault.
Family members of Maland shared that he was born in Blue Earth and raised in Fairmount, MN. He was a US Air Force Veteran and worked at the Pentagon when during 9/11. After the military, he served in the State Department. On Saturday, he will be interned at Fort Snelling National Cemetary with full military honors.
“Minnesota is deeply saddened by the loss of David Christopher Maland, a Minnesotan who committed his life to serving our nation,” said Governor Walz in a release. “Minnesota recognizes Maland’s dedicated service and sacrifice, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
