Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's Marshal Service took a step toward regaining it's status as a premier law enforcement agency by hiring David Roberts as it's new director. Roberts was sworn in at the Cherokee Nation Tribal complex, Monday, June 19, 2000, by Principal Chief Chad Smith and began his duties immediately.

Roberts plans to expand the department, which currently has seven Marshals, but Roberts expects that number to more than double in the coming months. He says it will take some time to rehabilitate the Marshal Service's image.

"I am aware of the fence mending that needs to be done", said Roberts. "We can do that through professionalism and training. I want people to have confidence when they see a Cherokee Nation Marshal. We have to show that if we get information about crimes being committed that that information will be acted on. We want to reestablish our legitimacy and authenticate our authority through the state and federal courts."

"The Marshal Service is a visible representation of Cherokee Nation's sovereignty," said Smith.

"I appreciate the honor that the Cherokee Nation has given me and my family today," said Roberts. "This job is the one job in the world that I wanted."

Roberts, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has nearly thirty years of distinguished law enforcement experience and service. Since June of 1998, Roberts has been with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, serving as a Major assigned to the Sheriff's Executive Staff. His duties have included being responsible for the supervision of criminal investigations, drug task force and gang task force efforts. Additionally, he is responsible for command of the Special Operations Team. In 1998 he retired from the US Department of Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as the Resident Agent in Charge of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Field Office.

After graduating from Stillwell High School in 1965, Roberts served two combat tours as a Chief Warrant Officer while on active duty in the US Army as a helicopter pilot in the Republic of Viet Nam. He was awarded an Air Medal for heroism, "V" Device for Valor and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry in 1968. He began his law enforcement career as a Tulsa Police Officer in 1970 and graduated from Northeastern State University, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice in 1976.

David Roberts' wife, Lucy Roberts, is an Assistant United States Attorney with the US Department of Justice in Tulsa. Mr. Roberts is the son of Sarah Ragsdale and stepson of Joe Ragsdale, a former Cherokee Council Member and retired Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent.

Chief Smith said, "We are extremely pleased to have someone of David Roberts' character, credentials and experience to head the Marshal Service. We anticipate under his leadership the Marshal Service will again, become a law enforcement agency that all Cherokees can be proud."