Judith A. Gallardo Home Page

Prizewinning short story writer AND pre-published author of soft-boiled crime fiction, romantic suspense, and U.S. Forest Service adventures.

If you're bored with the helpless heroine who stands wringing her hands while the hero battles to save her—you'll love my novels. Let me introduce you to the 21st century woman. She's sophisticated, feisty, and self-sufficient. Her man respects her or he's gone! And she'll go to any lengths to protect the ones she loves.

This is where my dream of being a novelist began.

Judith A. Gallardo

Origin of the U.S. Marshals Service

(Compiled from interviews with Deputy U.S. Marshals, information in The Lawmen, by Frederick S. Calhoun, and postings on the Marshal's website.)

I picture President George Washington seated at his desk, powdered wig on his head, quill pen in hand. An aide or two hover nearby, for awaiting his signature is the Judiciary Act of 1789, the charter for U.S. Marshals and District Attorneys for each state that he's lobbied the First Congress for. Patterned after England's Marshals this Act establishes a national police force and judicial system.

Reading the Act he assumes a stern demeanor to hide the accomplishment he feels. In a desk drawer are 13 letters of appointment for the men he's chosen to be the first federal marshals. Each man resides in the state where he's commissioned and most are well known to the President. Within days of signing the Act the letters will be delivered to the appointees.

Under the Act, Marshals and their Deputies would be responsible to manage, support and protect the federal courts; to enforce Admiralty Law; to protect the President; take the national census; arrest and transport prisoners; and perform tasks to allow the central government to function effectively.

President Washington is no longer a surveyor or solder, after building a consensus with the attorneys in Congress, he's become a statesman. I'm sure he signed the Act with a flourish, creating The U.S. Marshals Service and setting history in motion.

The First U.S. Marshals

Massachusetts Henry Dearborn 1789-1793 In 2009-after writing about the Marshals for 8 years-I learned of Colonel Dearborn's appointment. Until then I only knew of him as my husband's distant maternal relative. He studied medicine until the War, served with Colonel Rogers of Roger's Rangers at the Battle of Saratoga, was with Washington at Valley Forge, and elected to Congress in 1793. During his tenure as Secretary of War under President Jefferson he ordered a fort constructed on Lake Michigan. It later became Chicago.

Virginia Edward Carrington 1789-1791 An attorney and Lieutenant Colonel who served at Hobkirk's Hill and Yorktown, he was involved in discussions of prisoner exchanges as well as property confiscations. In 1791 Washington appointed him supervisor of distilled spirits for Virginia.

New Hampshire John Parker 1789-1791 A former sheriff in N.H. until his appointment, he was one of only two experienced in law enforcement. He died in office at the age of 58.

Delaware Allan McLane 1789-1797 A hero of the Revolutionary War, a farmer, and member of the Delaware legislature, he saw action in the battles of Paulies Hook, Stony Point, and Yorktown. He served with "Light-Horse Harry" Lee and was a Colonel by the War's end.

New Jersey Thomas Lowry 1789-1801 A successful businessman before the War he served as commissary officer, keeping the troops provisioned. From 1791-1792, during his tenure as Marshal, he also served in the New Jersey legislature.

New York William Smith 1789-1790 The son-in-law of future President John Adams, he was a college graduate and attorney. Involved in many battles during the War, he served as adjutant under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette. He became supervisor of Revenue after resigning as Marshal and later was elected to Congress.

Georgia Robert Forsyth 1789-1794 Born in Scotland, he immigrated to New England as a teenager with his family, later moving to Virginia. Serving with "Lighthorse Harry" Lee and others, he provisioned troops, leaving the War as a Major of the First Virginia Legion. Forsyth was the first U.S. Marshal killed in the line of duty.

Connecticut Phillip Bradley 1789-1802 A farmer, merchant, and college graduate, he was the only one who requested the position of Marshal. During the War Washington often gave him special assignments: the investigation of Captain Ephan Burr and arrest of deserters.

North Carolina John Skinner 1789-1794 A native of North Carolina, he was elected to the state legislature and urged ratification of the Constitution. Recommended to President Washington, he was described as a "man of means."

South Carolina Isaac Huger 1789-1793 The son of the one of the richest men in South Carolina, he grew up on a large plantation. He saw action in 1760 against the Cherokee Indians, managed his family's estate, served in the First Continental Congress, and later entered the Revolutionary War as a Colonel. Wounded during the battle of Stono Ferry, he was in poor health when he resigned the position of U.S. Marshal.

Rhode Island William Peck 1789-1810 Joined the Army immediately after graduating from Yale and quickly earned promotions. One of the few appointees not well known by President Washington, he applied for a political post other than that of Marshal. He served the longest of any of the original appointees, retiring after twenty years,

Pennsylvania Clement Biddle 1789-1793 A close friend of Washington, he fought in a number of major battles during the War as well as serving at Valley Forge. Appointed as Marshal of the Admiralty Courts by the Continental Congress, this position closely resembled that of federal Marshal.

Maryland Nathaniel Ramsey 1789-1794 A college graduate and attorney, he joined the Army as a Captain and joined the Battle of Long Island. During a major battle Washington asked him to stop the British advance. He was successful but his command took heavy casualties and he was seriously wounded. After serving as U.S. Marshal he was named Port Captain for Baltimore.

Today's U.S. Marshals

(Information from the marshal's website as well as interviews with Deputy Marshals)

When President Washington appointed the first U.S. Marshals he chose men who resided in the district/colony they served. Today the Service retains that local flavor-most Marshals and Deputies are long time residents of the state and/or Marshal's district where they work. While they no longer guard the President or take the census, they continue to act as the Nation's police force. Among their duties:

Judicial Security - "The (Service) ensures the safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings at more than 400 locations in 94 federal court districts and provides protection for federal judges, U.S. attorneys, assistant U.S. attorneys, personnel, jurors, the visiting public and prisoners."

When faced with impending disaster, the marshals act. They had the prisoners in New Orleans moved and the courthouse secured a day before Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

Asset Forfeiture - "…managing and selling assets seized…by federal law enforcement agencies
nationwide. "

Proceeds are shared with state and local law enforcement agencies as well as distributed to crime victims.

Prisoner Operations - "The (Service) houses and transports all federal prisoners from the time they enter federal custody until they are either acquitted or convicted and delivered to their designated federal Bureau of Prisons facility."

Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) - This system, "sometimes called 'Con Air,' moves prisoners between judicial districts, correctional institutions and foreign countries."

Witness Security (WITSEC) - "…provides for the security, safety and health of government witnesses and their authorized family members, whose lives are in danger as a result of their cooperation with the U.S. government."

Begun in 1971, all federal witness who have stayed in the program have been kept safe.

Tactical Operations (SOG) - "…performs tactical operations for sensitive and classified missions involving homeland security, national emergencies, domestic crises and the intelligence community."

(I think of these folks as a national SWAT group.)

Fugitive Operations - "…the federal government's primary agency for fugitive investigations. The Marshals provide assistance, expertise and training on fugitive matters to federal, state, local and international agencies. Marshals-led district task forces arrested 81,900 state and local fugitives in FY 2010, clearing approximately 108,200 state and local felony warrants."

The U.S. Marshals Service arrests more fugitives than all other federal agencies combined! They do their jobs quietly, efficiently, and without fanfare. And they've been doing it continuously for over 230 years.