Forging the Star

Forging the Star is a comprehensive official modern history of the U.S. Marshals, the oldest federal law enforcement organization. Their daily duties include pursuing dangerous felons in each of the 94 judicial districts or extraditing them from other countries; protecting federal judges, prosecutors, and witnesses from threats; transporting and maintaining prisoners and detainees; and administering the sale of assets obtained from criminal activity.'Turk takes the reader on an informative, easy-to-read round-up of federal marshal activities through the decades, covering the marshals' roles in such events as the American Indian Movement's takeover of Alcatraz and occupation of Wounded Knee, the kidnapping and trial of Patty Hearst, the integration of the University of Mississippi, the trials of International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, Watergate, various hostage negotiations, transportation of prisoners and administration of the Witness Protection Program.' - Wild West

Turk advances our understanding of the U.S. Marshals Service into the modern era, heretofore a time generally overlooked, and he does it admirably." - Bob Alexander, former special agent with the U.S. Treasury Department and author of Rawhide Ranger, Ira Aten, and Six-Shooters and Shifting Sands"The U.S. Marshals are an understudied but vital part of federal law enforcement today. The author's inclusion of stories from actual Marshals involved in historic events puts a personal touch on both the Marshals themselves and on the events." - Lorie Rubenser, co-author of Constables, Marshals, and More"This articulate, interesting, and factual account of the history and foundations of the oldest law enforcement agency at the federal level is a must read for those that embellish American history and those that enforce the law. From the early days of the great James McShane to more recent days with the demands of the U.S. Marshal's Service's multi-faceted global operations, this well written text commands the reader's attentiveness. The men and women who have served in the roles of command or law enforcement service for the safety of America with the Marshals Service will be proud of the work that has been done with this detailed story of the forging of the star. Highly recommended reading!" - Frank Jones, Professor of Criminal Justice, New England College"Forging the Star is a well-researched book that will interest students of crime as well as students of history." - The Washington Times"Turk takes the reader on an informative, easy-to-read round-up of federal marshal activities through the decades, covering the marshals' roles in such events as the American Indian Movement's takeover of Alcatraz and occupation of Wounded Knee, the kidnapping and trial of Patty Hearst, the integration of the University of Mississippi, the trials of International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, Watergate, various hostage negotiations, transportation of prisoners and administration of the Witness Protection Program." - Wild West

David S. Turk is Historian of the United States Marshals Service and the author of five books, including one relating to the outlaw Billy the Kid, Blackwater Draw. He lives in Woodbridge, Virginia.