Post by

Danny Rowland

Gene Coon, Managing Member of CMMC Security, LLC and retired Assistant Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, was honored last week by Fort Smith, Arkansas Mayor Ray Baker.   Mayor Baker bestowed a Certificate of Appreciation upon Gene “For his Outstanding Work and Service in contributing to law enforcement and the work of the U.S. Marshals, thus helping to make Life Worth Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas”.

Gene was asked by the U.S. Marshals Museum, which has recently relocated to Fort Smith Arkansas from Laramie, Wyoming, to travel to Fort Smith to provide an oral history of the United Sates Marshals Service spanning his 28 year career with the agency.  Gene was interviewed by the staff of the U.S. Marshals Museum, where he provided a summary of the various positions he held during his tenure, and the many contributions he made to the modern history of the U.S. Marshals

Gene commented that although the Marshals Service, the nation’s oldest law enforcement agency, was formed in 1789, many people today relate most with the frontier law men who wore America’s Star.   Those law men are the ones who worked at the edge of the western frontier from the mid 1870’s to late 1890’s.  Gene noted that the “Indian Territory” has served as the basis for many stories, books and movies, which depict the rugged and disciplined U.S. Marshals and their Deputies . . . those men who rode the territory bringing violators to justice before U.S. District Court Judge Isaac Parker, better known as the “Hanging Judge”.  That part of history serves as the foundation of today’s Marshals.      

Gene had the opportunity to speak about similar contributions by Marshals who served, forming the history of our country during the 1970’s through 1990’s. He talked about tracking fugitives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, as well as protecting individuals in the Marshal’s Witness Security Program.  He also talked about the many instances of cooperation between local, state and other federal agencies which have contributed significantly to the Marshals’ success over the years.

Another highlight of Gene’s trip included attending a discussion of the agency and a book signing by his long-time mentor and friend, U.S. Marshal Louie T. McKinney, a South Carolina native son.  Marshal McKinney’s book, entitled “One Marshals Badge”, which outlines his career in the U.S. Marshals Service, was sponsored by the Fort Smith Public Library.

The Museum is beginning a major fund raising effort to build a new Museum on the banks of the Arkansas River, the gateway to “Indian Territory”.  The U.S. Marshals Museum Foundation seeks outright gifts to the campaign or pledges payable over two-five year periods.  All gifts are tax deductible to the extent of allowable law.      

We are proud to have Gene as part of our CMMC Team!