United States Marshal Peter J. Elliott  

On March 10, 2003, Peter J. Elliott was appointed as United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio after being unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. He is the 26th overall U.S. Marshal appointed in the district since the Northern District of Ohio was formed in 1855. He is also the youngest U.S. Marshal appointed in the history of the district.

Marshal Elliott is responsible for the management, administration, and direction of operations throughout the district. He is responsible for leading and directing a staff in the forty county areas for the protection of the United States Courts, criminal investigations, execution of federal court orders and other law enforcement activities. His responsibilities include acting as the chief policy maker, decision maker and final disciplinary official for the district. He is responsible for developing and implementing new operations of district programs, policies and procedures pertaining to both operational and administrative matters.

In 2001, U.S. Marshal Elliott won numerous national awards for his work on a terrorism investigation including being selected for the “Distinguished Service Medal” by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and receiving the “Investigative Excellence Award” from the Federal Law Enforcement Officer’s Association. In March 2004, he was presented with the John T. Corrigan Award, “Law Enforcement Officer of the Year,” by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. In April 2005, U.S. Marshal Elliott accepted the Leadership Beyond the Standard Award from the Director of the Marshals Service on behalf of the Northern District of Ohio. Marshal Elliott and his staff were selected to receive this prestigious award for top leadership in the nation.

In June of 2003, U.S. Marshal Elliott created the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force which is comprised of local police departments and the United States Marshals Service. It has had a tremendous impact in reducing crime in our communities. Since its inception in 2003, the task force has worked collaboratively with federal, state, and local law enforcement to arrest more than 15,000 violent fugitives. In 2008 the task force received the Director’s Award for “Outstanding Fugitive Task Force” of the nation.

Marshal Elliott has taken a proactive approach to apprehending fugitives, including partnering with the media and initiating public service announcements, a weekly U.S. Marshals Fugitive of the Week television segment on NBC in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and a weekly most wanted segment on the radio with Clear Channel Communications (WTAM). He also established a toll-free tip line for callers to provide anonymous information regarding a known fugitive's whereabouts at 1-866-4WANTED.

In 2004 Marshal Elliott created a new concept known as the “Fugitive Safe Surrender Program” in Cuyahoga County that was brought to completion in August 2005 that led to over 850 fugitives, including over 300 felons, voluntarily surrendering to a Church. This law enforcement program that partners with the faith based community was the first of its kind in the nation and has now been adopted as a national program by the United States Marshals Service. To date the program has been completed in 12 cities across the nation and a total of 17,000 fugitives have peacefully and voluntarily surrendered. In 2008 Marshal Elliott was honored on the United States House Floor by Judiciary Chairman John Conyers JR of Michigan with a Proclamation in his honor for the creation of Fugitive Safe Surrender. Marshal Elliott was previously honored with a Proclamation on the United States House Floor by the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

Marshal Elliott brought the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program to the district to prevent youth crime and gang involvement while developing a positive relationship with law enforcement. The district reaches out to surrounding communities and educates the youth in the Cleveland area. The Marshal formed the G.R.E.A.T. Executive Committee and has partnered with professional sports teams, non profit groups, the faith based community, universities and others to build a strong coalition to help youths in Northern Ohio. This program has now been adopted as a national program by the United States Marshals Service and has graduated over 5000 students.
Marshal Elliott serves on a number of committees including serving as National Chairman of the United States Marshals Congressional Advisory Council.

In May 2007 Marshal Elliott was selected as a “Top Cop” of America by the National Association of Police Organizations. Marshal Elliott was the sole selection from the State of Ohio and one of only a few officers selected in the nation for this prestigious award.

In April 2008 Marshal Elliott was selected as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Northern Ohio by Cleveland Magazine.

Historical Listing of United States Marshals for the Northern District of Ohio