ARTIST SERIES

“U.S. Marshals,” shot over the course of four years, captures the culture, practices, and procedures of the United States’ oldest law enforcement agency, heightened by access that is both unprecedented and telling. Brian Finke began documenting U.S. Marshals in 2010 after re-connecting with a childhood friend—Deputy U.S. Marshal Cameron Welch. Finke writes:

“I was surprised at their willingness to have me step inside their world, but once there what I saw was a well-oiled machine—one that speaks to an American heritage of civil authority that has transcended nearly all facets of U.S. law enforcement. I felt a strong connection between the Marshals’ responsibilities and our civilian culture. I knew immediately that I wanted to make a book.”

Finke photographed U.S. Marshals in cities across the country including Houston, Las Vegas, New York City, Syracuse, Utica, Philadelphia, Camden, Atlantic City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and a handful of Texas border towns, including Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, Del Rio, Alpine, and El Paso. The resulting images present a ground zero portrait of the most dangerous, conflict-seeking patrol force in the U.S.

“As you might imagine, their worlds are action packed,” added Finke. “My very first ride-along was a bulletproof vest clad pursuit of an escaped convict from Huntsville prison, clocking 120 miles-per-hour.”

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