A letter to S&W from a City Marshal in the 20s & Images of him & the gun he ordered.

The old photograph of Marshal Tyson really hit me on an emotional level for some reason. These lawmen from another century, and even the century before, were a different breed of man, and you can see that in this photograph. In addition to putting a face on the man being talked about, there is something about the photo I can't put my finger on that just speaks to me.

For anyone who loves real every day history...history populated with real but often little-known people, and documented by facts and photographs...this thread is a must-read.


 
I have been, and continue to be, so impressed by the dedication and commitment to duty of the law enforcement officers I've had the privilege of working alongside. They are some of the finest people I have known. Thank you Marshall Tyson for your service. Thanks to the OP for keeping his memory alive. Thank you Jane Tyson for joining us here in this forum to honor your Grandfather. This is the best forum, because of threads like this.
Dave
SWCA#2778
 
MattNH said:
I'm relatively new to this forum, and it is simply amazing to find threads like this. I'm sitting in my office in New Hampshire not ready to start work and seeing an 88 year old letter and getting a glimpse into the life of a Marshal in Arkansas. The bonus is finding out the revolver is still with the family.

Thank you all who have the passion to devote the time, energy and resources to foster these discoveries.
Click to expand...

It is a truly amazing story and this forum has wonderful people on it.....May you rest in peace Brother! Epping NH PD
 
This is an amzing post. Thanks to everyone who contributed. A special thanks to you, Jane Tyson for your information. Many on this forum are LEOs or where so we feel a kindred spirit with your grandfather. Looking forward to more. Thanks again.
 
Your post struck on two points. I lived and worked in Camden Arkansas for four years, right there on the Ouachita River. Rode Harleys with a couple of the Camden Police Department officers and had a uncle who retired as a detective with the Montgomery Alabama Police Department. The article you wrote and the LEO's that I have known personally were dedicated to serving the public.

Reb
 
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It has been so much fun and a great honor to be part of this thread. Wonderful that so many are honoring the memory of my grandfather. I have had a great time in Arkansas photographing what I am now calling historical artifacts belonging to my family. I had really never thought f these things in that way before. So happy to share them, and the memories we have. Thanks to all.
 
One more addition, Marshal Tyson is now listed on the Officer Down Memorial Page. A great site that does Outstanding work honoring fallen Officers nation wide.

http://www.odmp.org/




Also folks who work on getting names added to the Arkansas Law Enforcement Officers Memorial are currently reviewing this thread, and with a bit of effort we may have his name added during Law Enforcement Memorial week next year.
 
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JaneTyson said:
My family still has the .44 caliber gun mentioned in the letter from R.C. Tyson to Smith & Wesson. There are more details about this gun that I can share, once I verify them with family members. It is very nice that this letter has been preserved. My father lost his father when he was young; and by all accounts, R.C. Tyson was a very well respected man in the community of Gurdon, very well respected and loved. I may be adding more to these posts later on.
Click to expand...
Can you call me about this. I work for the Gurdon Marshal Office and we are working on trying to get Mr. Tyson on the Officer Down Memorial Page. Thank you for your time.

Sgt. Toby Garner 870-406-2502
 
As a former NMSP officer who had the privilege of knowing and working with some men of previous generations of peace officers who were of the caliber of Mr. Tyson early in my career, I can tell you that their influence on me was of inestimable value for me. Because of them, I understood the difference between a peace officer and others who were just law enforcement officers. These were men who felt and displayed a remarkable desire to truly serve their fellow human beings and who stood in the gap between good people and those who can only be described as predators. Their dedication to duty and their concern for those they served was seen in the level of courage and quiet humble service they rendered. They were "on duty" all the time, not just during the time they were "on the job". I really appreciate the sentiments expressed here by the outpouring of appreciation expressed by so many for the service and dedication of these men. They truly set a fine example for those of us who followed them.

Certainly, times have changed and people have changed. But it warms my heart to know that there are still many who appreciate and support the efforts and sacrifices of men and women represented by Mr. Tyson. Clearly, he was a man who served rather than just working at a job. I salute and appreciate him and others who made the ultimate sacrifice of his life while trying to preserve the peace that we easily take for granted. Thanks to all of you who also appreciate his service and sacrifice.
 
I am dazed and amazed. How did I miss this thread over these years? I've got to get my nose out of the Lounge more. Gurdon is around 60 miles from me. I've spent countless Saturdays at Prescott Raceway, just a few miles away. Thanks to lawandorder for what you are doing and many thanks to Jane Tyson for her contributions to this thread. Like many have already said, this is one of the great threads of our Forum.
 
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