California United States Marshals Posse

HISTORY

    President George Washington appointed the first 13 United States Marshal two hundred years ago. As the nation expanded westward in the 1880's, Marshals were appointed in new states and territories, carrying with them the full law enforcement authority of the Federal government.  They represented the power of the Federal court and the rule of law.

   The reality and myth surrounding the Wild West popularized the role of United States Marshals in the national imagination.  Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, and Wyatt and Virgil Earp all worked for the United States Marshals, as did hundreds of other lawmen who helped establish law and order on America's frontier.  There efforts were among many significant contributions United States Marshals have made in 200 years of service.

   The job remains essentially the same today.  Marshals and their deputies secure the Federal Courts and protect judges and other court officers, track down and arrest fugitives from justice, transport prisoners, manage hundreds of millions of dollars in assets seized from criminals, enforce the orders of courts, and perform many other law enforcement tasks essential to the operation of the Federal justice system. The United States Marshals Posse was formed to commemorate this history.  The posse is the first duly sworn Posse in almost 100 years and is calling to attention the traditions of the United States Marshals.

    In the winter of 1986, at the direction of Stanley E. Morris, Director of the United States Marshals Service, Chief Deputy Marshal Peyton G. Bear was given the responsibility to form a United States Marshals Posse to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Marshals Service.  Peyton G. Bear contacted members of various parade mounted groups to form a Steering Committee.  The steering Committee was composed of: Jack W. Brown, William R. Cleveland, James Olivas, Howard Tait, and Norbert W. Dean as Chairman.

    In a General Meeting of August 19, 1987, the Bylaws were approved and the following officers were elected; President Norb Dean; Vice President Bill Cleveland; Secretary/Treasurer  Joe Indelicate; and members at large: Jack Brown, Jim Olivas, Howard Tail.  A non - profit corporation was established and insurance for the Posse was placed.  On August 24, 1987, Director Stanley E. Morris, swore in the original members, including James Arness, Gene Autry, and Monte Hale, at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California.

    On October 31, 1987 the Posse appeared in it's first official parade in Carson City, Nevada, with thirty - one riders. The Posse was supported by many Marshals and Chief Deputy Marshals from California, Nevada and Oklahoma.

    By the end of January 1988, the Posse had accepted over 100 Charter Members.  One year later in January 1989, the Posse had officially appeared: Hollywood Christmas Parade, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, and the Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., honoring President George Bush.

    As of February 1990 the Posse had appeared in over thirty-two parades and events.  The Posse membership is still growing, and at this time we have 144 members.  The United States Marshals Posse is continuing to publicize and educate the public of the United States Marshals Service.

    With National recognition, our elite Posse has received request to appear in parades all over the country, including Hawaii and Canada.

    PURPOSE

     The objectives of the United States Marshals Posse shall be to cooperate with the United States Marshals in rendering such non-law enforcement assistance to the Marshals Service as may be required when called upon; and in publicizing the United States Marshals Service ; and to promote good horsemanship among the members and public at large, particularly worthy groups, and to promote among the members social well being and good fellowship.