Two local United States Marshals employees recognized nationally

Washington, D.C. - Two local United States Marshals Service employees will receive national recognition during the U.S. Marshals Service Director’s Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 11, 2007. Assistant Chief Cathy Jones will be awarded the “Leadership Beyond the Standard Award” and Chief David Harlow will be awarded the “Distinguished Group Award”. The awards are two of the highest awards to be received within the United States Marshals Service.

Assistant Chief Jones, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service, will be recognized for her outstanding leadership and participation in the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program in the Northern District of Ohio. The national initiative focuses on preventing youth crime and gang involvement by developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and young people. Currently, two deputies in the district are certified and have worked with more than 1,500 students in five school districts. Chief Jones has fostered relationships in support of the G.R.E.A.T. program with non-profit, corporate, faith-based, local law enforcement, and educational agencies. Chief Jones also developed the U.S. Marshals Service budget process for the program – both in Northern Ohio and nationally. One of the program’s most notable achievements includes a 13 percent decrease in violence as reported by G.R.E.A.T. families in N/OH. Recently, Chief Jones worked to help revitalize the program in New Orleans, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service in the Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, Progressive Baptist Church, Boys & Girls Club, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and local schools.

“I am truly honored to be recognized as a leader within our G.R.E.A.T. collaboration in the Northern District of Ohio. As we teach our students, we all can be leaders professionally and personally when we dedicate ourselves to improving our leadership skills and genuinely caring for our surrounding community”. - Cathy Jones, Assistant Chief Deputy

Chief David Harlow, a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Marshals Service, will receive the “Distinguished Group Award” for his leadership during Operation Falcon (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally). This national program that Chief Harlow oversaw garnished 11,000 arrests last October mostly of sexual predators in just a one week time period. Operation FALCON III was one of the most successful fugitive apprehensions in our nation’s history.

“Being a part of the management of a law enforcement operation that brings together almost 3,000 cops a day is certainly the highlight of my career. The fact that FALCON III was the most successful fugitive apprehension initiative in history demonstrates that with our partners, the U.S. Marshals Service can make our communities safer.” - Chief David Harlow

“The leadership demonstrated by both Cathy and Dave significantly contributed to the outstanding success of both of these programs. Due to there individual leadership both programs will continue to be a tremendous success in our nation and make our communities safer places to reside for years to come. Both are very deserving of these top Marshals Service national awards”. - Pete Elliott, US Marshal for Northern Ohio.