The story of the frontier Indian police in the history of Oklahoma is very important. It is one of the unsung stories in the annuals of law enforcement in the Wild West. Oklahoma, prior to statehood, was known as Indian Territory, and after 1889, Oklahoma Territory was added, taking on the nickname, the "Twin Territories." Today, the most commonly thought of lawmen who worked the territories were deputy U.S. Marshals. However, the Indian police were there and were probably as important if not more so.

The Cherokee Advocate, published at Tahlequah, reported on November 13, 1844, that the Cherokee National Council had passed a bill authorizing a Lighthorse Company. It was to be composed of a captain, lieutenant and twenty-four horsemen. Their assigned duty was to pursue and arrest all fugitives from justice. The other Five Tribes imitated the Cherokee Lighthorse for their nations. These lawmen performed as Tribal Police; criminals apprehended by them were turned over to the Indian courts for trial and punishment.

Copyright 1996. Originally published in the Oklahoma State Trooper Magazine.