CLAYTON JOHNSON From Ponca City

When you think of a U.S. Marshal, what comes to mind? Do you picture the rugged, untamed “Wild West,” with U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon riding in on horseback to save Dodge City on an episode of Gunsmoke? Or do you start imagining Men in Black scenarios, with top-secret intel and ultra-dangerous assignments? For me, it was a mixture of both. For whatever reason, I had always found the U.S. Marshal Service to be shrouded in mystery. I knew the Marshal Service was vitally important to our well-being and security, but I couldn’t say exactly why and I certainly couldn’t match a face with the immensely important and prestigious office that is the U.S. Marshal Service. However, that fortuitously changed a few months ago, when our Ponca City Monthly team was granted an opportunity to sit down and have an insightful conversation with the Honorable Clayton Johnson, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Our team met up with Marshal Johnson at his office, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Upon arriving, we weren’t sure what to expect, but the moment that we entered the marshal’s office, it was immediately clear that it was a department chockfull of people who truly love what they do. From the “wall of shame,” which was filled with hilarious pranks and anecdotes left by team members of the marshal’s office, to the comical, lively banter that was always at play in the background, it was quite apparent that Marshal Johnson’s positive leadership, kind demeanor and keen sense of humor had cultivated an exceptionally-positive working environment, even in the midst of the very serious situations that they are faced with handling each and every day.

After having the good fortune of meeting several of Marshal Johnson’s deputies, we settled into his office to begin the interview. Marshal Johnson’s office was noticeably orderly, with various mementos and criminal justice books lining his shelves. There was a beautiful Pendleton blanket displayed, given to him by Bill John Baker, Chief of the Cherokee tribe, as well as treasured family photos of his trips abroad taken with his wife Nancy.

We began by asking Marshal Johnson about his initial introduction into law enforcement (if by this point Marshal Johnson’s name has been ringing a bell for you, it is for very good reason). He explained that his career in law enforcement began in 1982, right here in

Ponca City, when he was just 21 years old, working as a reserve officer. After much thought and consideration, he made the decision to transition from being a part-time reserve officer to working as a full-time police officer in 1986. He steadily rose in the ranks until 2002, when he was ultimately appointed the Chief of Police, and he remained in that position until his formal retirement in August of 2011.

While speaking with Marshal Johnson, it was immediately evident just how deeply he cares for the people of Ponca City and how sincerely grateful he is to have been granted the opportunity to serve them. He spoke with much reverence, appreciation and gratitude for both the mentorship and opportunities bestowed upon him by his predecessors at the Police Department, even attributing his pursuit of higher education to the guidance of his former Police Chief Raymond Ham. He made it quite clear that he is certain he would not be in the position he is in today without the help, foundation, guidance and principles that were instilled in him throughout his time with the Ponca City Police Department.

Though Marshal Johnson did indeed retire from the Ponca City Police Force in August of 2011, he did not bask in the glow of retirement for long. For it was in the same month that he was formally appointed the United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma, by President Obama. And though it may seem as if it was a quick, streamlined process from Ponca City Police Chief to U.S. Marshal, Marshal Johnson assured us that much work was being put in behind the scenes to make this career move possible. He explained that the entire process of becoming a U.S. Marshal took roughly two years, and it began with an the Ponca City, Oklahoma Police Department as a Reserve Officer. In October of 1986, he was hired as a full-time police officer for the department. During his police career, he worked in the patrol and detective divisions and promoted through the ranks of the agency. On November 1, 2002, he was appointed Police Chief for the Ponca City Police Department. He served in that position until his retirement in August of 2011. Marshal Johnson holds a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Management from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and he completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. Marshal Johnson served as a council member for the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) from 1999 until 2011 and he served as the Chairman from 2003 to 2009. Marshal Johnson and his wife still live in Ponca City, but also maintain a second residence in Tulsa where he stays during the work week. interview with former Oklahoma governor Brad Henry. After his interview with Governor Henry, Marshal Johnson waited another two weeks before learning that he had been given the governor’s recommendation. After the recommendation was given to

President Obama from Governor Henry, Marshal Johnson had to again wait for his nomination to pass through the Senate Judiciary Committee and then onto the U.S. Senate Floor for a vote of confirmation. Upon passing the Senate’s vote of confirmation,

Marshal Johnson was formally appointed by President Obama, making him the first Ponca Citian to hold the office of U.S. Marshal.

The U.S. Marshal Service can be traced back as far as 1789 when Congress passed the Judiciary Act. The mission of the Marshal Service is to “enforce federal laws and provide support to virtually all elements of the federal justice system by providing for the security of federal court facilities and the safety of judges and other court personnel; apprehending criminals; exercising custody of federal prisoners and providing for their security and transportation to correctional facilities; executing federal court orders; seizing assets gained by illegal means and providing for the custody, management and disposal of forfeited assets; assuring the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families; and collecting and disbursing funds.” There are only 94 U.S. Marshals throughout the entire United States, and three of those 94 Marshals are located here in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is separated into three separate “marshal” districts: the Northern, Eastern and Western Districts. As previously stated, Marshal Johnson is the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma, which encompasses

Craig, Creek, Delaware, Mayes, Nowata, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa and Washington Counties. It is worth noting that after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the McGirt v. Oklahoma case, most of Marshal Johnson’s district landed within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation Reservation, though most of the district is split between the Muscogee Nation and the Cherokee Nation. That means that all crimes committed within the reservation become federal cases, versus cases of the state. As the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Marshal Johnson is the formal custodian of all federal prisoners within his district, so as you can imagine, the number of prisoners that Marshal Johnson was responsible for more than tripled overnight. We asked him how he handled the sudden and vast increase of federal detainees, and he was quick to respond that he “has a protecting yourself and helping you prosper today, tomorrow and into the future. very good working relationship with the Muscogee Nation and the Muscogee Nation Lighthorse Police Department, and the Cherokee Nation and the Cherokee Marshals” and that the Marshal Service also provided him with ample staff to help mitigate the effects of hosting a much larger detainee population.

On August 22, 2011, Clayton Johnson was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

On September 11, 2017, Marshal Johnson was notified that he was being retained by President Donald J. Trump. Marshal Johnson is responsible for United States Marshals Service operations in the 11 counties of northeastern Oklahoma. In addition, he serves on the Director’s Marshals Advisory Council.

It is an understatement to say that Marshal Johnson has had a remarkably successful career. He has accomplished many incredible feats, including graduating from the National FBI Academy and completing the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. He told us that when he began his career in law enforcement, he had two goals: “To become the Chief of Police in his hometown and to become a U.S. Marshal.” And though he worked tirelessly in pursuit of those goals, he also wanted us to know that he would’ve never achieved them without asking for advice and support along the way.

Though Marshal Johnson’s job is no doubt a stressful one at times, it was plainly evident that he absolutely loves what he does, and that he is passionate about helping others. He values his relationships with his deputies and department team members, and he has done a phenomenal job of creating an environment that people look very much forward to working in. He told us that he kept a journal during his time as a police officer and at the top of the journal it said, “When I’m Chief …”. He made various entries in the journal, that said things like, “When I’m Chief, I’ll give up my personal parking spot,” and “When I’m Chief, I’ll make sure that everyone on my staff goes to retirement planning classes early in their careers so that they’ll be able to take care of themselves and their families later in life.” And to me, those entries are direct representations of the kind of person and leader that he is. A person that feels a calling to serve and does so with the upmost honor, thoughtfulness and dignity.

We concluded our interview with Marshal Johnson by asking him the one thing that he would like everyone to know. Without hesitation, he said the one thing that he would want everyone to know and take away from our interview is “how important local law enforcement is and how deserving they are of community support.”

Many mementos decorate Marshal Johnson’s office in Tulsa including this orignal Ponca City Police Office Placard which he saved from the trash. This placard was originally used in mugshots to show the booking ID and date, but was being discarded as it was no longer useful past the year 1996.

Applications are available for the 37th Ponca City Leadership Class!

You can pick an application up at the Chamber Office at 5th and Grand Avenue or we can email it to you. Deadline to turn in an application is Friday, June 23rd by 5 p.m. Interviews will take place in July and the Class will be announced in August.