Copyright © 1999 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO )has reinstated its Marshal Service after being without a certified police force for more than two years. On Thursday, October 28, 1999 five new marshals were sworn in by Principal Chief Chad Smith. The swearing in took place in the W.W. Keeler tribal council chambers. The new marshals officially reassumed their duties Monday, November 1, 1999 at 12:01 a.m. The new marshals are, pictured from left, Sgt. Stacey Eubanks, Sgt. Franky Dreadfulwater, Interim Director of the Marshal Service Leonard McMillan, Sgt. Steve A. Garner, and Sgt. James L. Redcorn.

In August, through a written request, Chief Smith asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs allow the tribe to resume law enforcement responsibilities. The BIA agreed in September that the situation that lead them to assume all tribal law enforcement responsibilities in May 1997 no longer exists and allowed the reinstatement of the Marshal Service.

In February 1997, then Principal Chief Joe Byrd, fired the entire Marshal Service after officers removed contested documents from his office. The documents removed from the chief's office were requested by tribal council members, and the chief refused to provide them which, in part, led to a two-year struggle between the three branches of government that tested the tribe's constitution.

Julian Fite, a former state and federal prosecutor will oversee the organization of the law enforcement program, Smith said.

"An important fundamental principle of Cherokee Nation self-governance is the inherent jurisdiction of the Cherokee tribal law enforcement over its domain," Smith said.

Each marshal must undergo a comprehensive background check, receive a clearance and must meet federal standards to maintain certification.