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WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, October 21st,
United States Attorney General Eric Holder presented the Award for
Excellence in Law Enforcement to the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive
Task Force (RFTF) Program at the 57th Annual Attorney General’s Awards.
The Award for Excellence is presented annually to Department of Justice
representatives and recognizes outstanding professional achievements by
law enforcement officers.
The U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force Program was established
in 2002 following the enactment of the Presidential Threat Protection
Act of 2000. Since their inception, the six RFTFs have arrested more
than 146,000 fugitives on the federal, state, and local levels, making
them the ultimate force multiplier in federal law enforcement.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Marshals Service were the
Commanding Officers of the six RFTFs: Chief Inspector Keith Booker
(Southeast), Chief Inspector Lenny DePaul (New York/New Jersey), Chief
Inspector Rob Fernandez (Capital Area), Chief Inspector Tom Hession
(Pacific Southwest), Chief Inspector Mike Richards (Gulf Coast), and
Deputy Assistant Director Geoff Shank (Great Lakes). The team was
honored for their outstanding efforts and exceptional service in the
reduction of violent crime and gang activity, including the apprehension
of more than 33,000 fugitive felons in Fiscal Year 2008, more than 1,200
of whom were wanted for murder.
“The contributions of our Regional Fugitive Task Force Commanders are
invaluable,” said T. Michael Earp, Assistant Director for Investigative
Operations. “The exceptional professionalism and leadership they display
each day is the foundation of their success. Over the last seven years
our Regional Fugitive Task Forces have made the streets significantly
safer for our citizens. I am extremely proud of their leadership and
commitment to their mission.”
Presently, the task forces cover 28 federal judicial districts, and
consist of more than 600 investigators from 200 federal, state, and
local law enforcement agencies. The RFTFs are the cornerstone of the
USMS task force network, and are responsible for arresting thousands of
dangerous repeat offenders each year. Among those arrested by the RFTFs
in FY 2008 were William Woodward and Mario Westbrook, who were wanted in
connection with the murders of two off-duty Dekalb County, Georgia,
police officers, and Elliott Stamps, a USMS 15 Most Wanted fugitive who
was wanted in Jackson, Mississippi, for kidnapping, armed robbery, and
aggravated assault after he used a hammer to attack a 55-year-old female
victim.
The Attorney General’s Awards are intended to honor Department of
Justice employees and others who assist the Department in meeting its
law enforcement mission. These awards afford the opportunity to honor
Department employees who have distinguished themselves in the pursuit of
excellence and private citizens who have assisted in a substantial way
in furthering the mission of the Department.
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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency
For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit
http://www.usmarshals.gov |
