Bass Reeves

The first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River who arrested over 3,000 outlaws

Bass Reeves (1838-1910) redefined frontier justice as one of the most extraordinary lawmen in American history. Born into slavery, he escaped to Indian Territory during the Civil War and later became the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River.

His revolutionary approach included:

• Mastering disguises to infiltrate criminal networks
• Developing an intricate memory system for warrants
• Speaking six Native American languages fluently

Revese's most famous case involved arresting his own son for murder, demonstrating absolute commitment to justice. Historians argue his career inspired the Lone Ranger legend, though this remains debated.

Despite facing intense racial prejudice, he maintained a 97% conviction rate and revolutionized modern policing techniques through innovative forensic methods and community-oriented strategies.