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What’s the difference between an Old West marshal and a sheriff?

by | Jul 1, 2007 | Inside History

  What’s the difference between an Old West marshal and a sheriff? Scott Gano Lake Orion, Michigan Generally speaking, U.S. marshals and their deputies dealt with federal issues.  The town marshals and their deputies acted as peace officers in the towns.  The county sheriffs were usually the highest elected official in the county and their jurisdiction was county-wide.  Many times, an officer was a deputy U.S. marshal and could also be a sheriff or town marshal.  As you c


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