Marshal

Marshals or Marshalls, usually called town marshals or city marshals (since the larger cities were often punctilious about their titles), were appointed or elected police officers of small communities, with powers and duties similar to those of a police chief; these powers generally ended at the border of the community. By contrast, federal marshals (U.S. marshals) worked in a larger territory, especially in pioneer country, and this area could potentially overlap with the state or territorial office of county sheriff (who then, as now, policed communities, as well as areas between communities). The word marshal is still used in this sense, especially in the American Southwest. Town or city marshal is still the name for the head officer of some community police forces. A deputy marshal is similar to a deputy sheriff, because they are deputized by the marshal and charged with performing all the duties prescribed to the marshal by that state's law.

Cities, towns and villages decide whether to appoint or elect a marshal, or have the board, council, or city manager hire a chief of police as the top criminal law enforcement official for their jurisdiction (as in the town of Tombstone). Marshals are elected by the trustees to serve a fixed term, and chiefs of police can be fired at will by whomever hired them, just like any other employee.

Known Marshals

 * Quick Draw McGraw

Known Deputy Marshals

 * Baba Looey

Source

 * Marshals in the United States