(click to enlarge) Judge Joan H. Lefkow (N.D. Ill.) looks on as U.S. Marshals Service Director John F. Clark and Acting Deputy Director Chris Dudley unveil a brass plaque dedicating part of the agency's Threat Management Center to the Lefkow family. Photo credit: Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) last month dedicated a part of its Threat Management Center (TMC) to Judge Joan H. Lefkow (N.D. Ill.), in memory of her husband and mother, who were murdered by a disgruntled litigant in 2005. USMS Director John F. Clark credited Lefkow’s “courage to speak out and her advocacy for reform in the protection of judges” as the impetus for the creation of the Center. The TMC is a repository for all classified and nonclassified information affecting the safety and security of the Judiciary, where staff collect, analyze, and disseminate protection intelligence information to assist in mitigating a threat. “Thanks to Judge Lefkow,” Clark said, “the TMC bridges technology and good old-fashioned police work, together making for a safer and more secure judicial system.”

According to Clark, last year the USMS investigated more than 1400 threats and inappropriate communications directed against judicial officials. He noted that every case required some level of analytical or investigative work done by the TMC staff and by Deputy U.S. Marshals in the field.