225 Years of Service

On Sept. 24, 2014 the U.S. Marshals Service commemorated its 225th anniversary. As the nation’s oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency, the Marshals Service occupies a uniquely central position in the federal justice system. It is the enforcement arm of the federal courts, involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.

Established Sept. 24, 1789, when President George Washington signed the Judiciary Act into law, the Service has grown from the 13 original U.S. Marshals to a force of 5,400 deputies and civil servants dedicated to carrying out missions as varied as apprehending fugitives, housing and transporting prisoners, protecting witnesses and federal judges, and managing and selling seized assets. Marking this tremendous milestone of 225 years, the U.S. Marshals Service is proud of its legendary origins and continues its steadfast commitment to answer the call of a great nation.

U.S. Marshals Museum

The U.S. Marshals Museum is a 50,000 square foot national Museum, built along the banks of the beautiful Arkansas River in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Museum offers visitors a view across the River toward Oklahoma, a view of the American west similar to what the frontier marshals of the late 19th century saw as they rode from here into Indian Territory. The Museum will educate, inspire, and entertain visitors with state-of-art exhibits highlighting the 225 year history and achievements of America's oldest federal law enforcement agency, from their creation in 1789 to the present.