History - Former Director Wayne Colburn
Wayne
Colburn had a total of 34 years in the field of law enforcement,
and served as Director of the
United States Marshals Service from
January 1970 to May 1976.
Shown
below, Wayne B. Colburn 1919 - 1983 Director, U.S. Marshals Service 1970 - 1976
At the time of
his retirement, then Deputy Attorney
General Harold R. Tyler, Jr. said, "Wayne
Colburn's contributions to the professionalism
of the Marshals Service have been
magnificent."
Wayne Colburn began his career in law
enforcement in March 1943 by joining the
San Diego Police Department (SDPD). His tour of
duty with SDPD was interrupted when he
was recalled to active duty with the Marine
Corps. He later returned to the police
department and in 1951 was promoted to the
rank of Sergeant. Three years later he was promoted to Lieutenant arid
took command
of the Mid-watch, regarded as the training
ground for new officers.
In 1957, he was promoted
to Captain and placed in charge of the
newly created Southern Division. As the
highest ranking official in South Bay, Wayne
established solid working relationships with
citizens anti law enforcement officials on
both sides of the border. In 1962, he was
promoted to Inspector and assigned to head
the entire patrol division. He was highly
commended for his professional and outstanding performance during the major difficulties
of the early '60's.
After 25 years with
the San Diego Police Department, Wayne
B. Colburn was appointed by President
Johnson to the position of United States
Marshal for the newly formed Southern
District of California.
In 1970, the Attorney General of the
United States selected Marshal Colburn to
become Director of the United States Marshals
Service. Under his leadership the Marshals
Service subsequently gained full
Bureau status. Wayne's other achievements
as Director of the Marshals Service include
increasing the size of the organization,
establishing higher grades for deputies, improving
relationships with other law enforcement
organizations, and authorizing the
establishment of the USMS Special Operations
Group.
He also personally directed
numerous operational programs such as
the Air Piracy Program, and the long
siege at Wounded Knee, South
Dakota in 1973.
His driving ambition was to upgrade and professionalize the Marshals
Service, a task that required tough and decisive management. Wayne
proved that he had that capacity. |