(Photo by U.S. Marshals)
CLEVELAND - United States Marshal Peter Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio is pleased to announce that his District has received two of the highest honors granted by the United States Marshals Service, the Distinguished District Award and the Outstanding Task Force Award. The awards were presented at the 36th Director’s Honorary Awards Ceremony which was held on Wednesday October 18, 2017 at the Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.
The Northern District of Ohio was chosen for the Distinguished District Award from 94 Marshals Service districts throughout the country and U.S. territories. The Northern District of Ohio has offices in Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown and Toledo. District personnel continually perform in an exemplary manner in support of the Agency’s missions, which include the care and custody of federal prisoners, fugitive investigations and protection of the federal judiciary.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) was also recognized with the Outstanding Fugitive Task Force Award. The NOVFTF, which was created in 2003, has arrested over 40,000 fugitives for violent crimes such as murder, rape and robbery. The Task Force is comprised of 350 law enforcement officers from 150 agencies across the northern half of the state of Ohio and has consistently been one of the most successful task forces in the nation. Task force divisions operate in: Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, Toledo, Mansfield, Lorain, Canton, and Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties. The Task Force also recently added a Cold Case Fugitive unit that has focused on investigating and closing decades old cases.
The success of the NOVFTF is rooted in the partnerships built with other Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement agencies, along with media and community partners across Northern Ohio, all of whom contribute in programs such as the “Fugitive of the Week” and other community projects such as “Fugitive Safe Surrender”.
“These are outstanding honors and well deserved recognition for the dedicated men and women who make up our district and for all of the officers and leaders who contribute to the great success of our Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. The strong partnerships we have built have made our communities safer throughout Northern Ohio. I am extremely proud of all our Deputies, Administrative Personnel and Task Force partners who have earned these highest honors”, stated Marshal Elliott.
Chief Judge for the Northern District of Ohio Patricia Gaughan added, “The men and women of the Northern District of Ohio have certainly earned this recognition and honor by their consistently outstanding performance in support of the federal judicial system. The Courts appreciate and respect all of their hard work and congratulate them on this honor.”