TAHLEQUAH, OK - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin. Jr, named Daniel Mead as Acting Marshal of the Cherokee Nation effective January 1, 2025.
Mead, an 18-year veteran of the department, will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Marshal Shannon Buhl. Buhl has held the cabinet post since 2012.
Buhl, who announced his retirement on November 1, will begin in a new role for the tribe consulting on security matters for Cherokee Nation Businesses.
“Daniel Mead has the experience and temperament to to lead the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service,” said Chief Hoskin. “Although the law provides for him to serve in an acting capacity for now, I would have no hesitation to nominate him for council confirmation as Marshal because he is absolutely ready to lead the agency and has my full confidence.”
Mead began his career with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service (CNMS) as a Deputy Marshal in 2006. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.
Mead was trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and holds a degree in Sociology from Conners State College. He holds numerous law enforcement training certifications, including as a certified sniper instructor.
Mead has received numerous awards and commendations during his time at CNMS, including Meritorious Service Awards and the Legion of Merit award.
A Marine Corps Veteran, Mead led an AVC in Mobile Strike Team II in combat operations in Iraq, achieving the rank of Sergeant. His Marine Corps awards include the Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Ribbon and Combat Action Ribbon.
“I am honored to serve as Acting Marshal of the Cherokee Nation,” said Mead. “I love serving my tribe and the opportunity to lead the absolute best in law enforcement is one I could not pass up.”
Under Cherokee law, Mead may serve as Acting Marshal for up to one year before Chief Hoskin must send a nominee to the Council of the Cherokee Nation to complete Buhl’s term, which ends in December 2026.
“I owe it to the Cherokee people to take some time to search for a nominee,” said Chief Hoskin. “Acting Marshal Mead will absolutely be a candidate, but we will conduct a thorough and thoughtful search and consider many candidates.”
Marshal of the Cherokee Nation is a member of the tribe’s executive branch, led by the Principal Chief. Under the Cherokee Nation Constitution, the Marshal is nominated by the Principal Chief and confirmed by the Council to serve a five-year term.
As Acting Marshal, Mead has the full authority of the job and will serve as a member of the Chief’s cabinet.
The Cherokee Nation Marshal leads an agency with law enforcement responsibility over the entirely of the 7,000 square mile Cherokee Nation Reservation. Cherokee Nation is the exclusive tribal law enforcement authority over the reservation and has cross deputization agreements with 109 law enforcement agencies operating within its limits.
“Lieutenant Mead has my full confidence and will lead the agency as Acting Marshal well,” said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. “He deserves and will need our full support.”
Retiring Marshal Buhl praised Mead’s service. “I’m very excited for the new era of the Marshal Service. Daniel Mead is 100 percent Marshal, loves the agency and loves the tribe, and will be a good partner with Administration, Council and our entire law enforcement community.”
Although Mead will not take the acting post until January 1, Chief Hoskin named him today as “Acting Marshal Designate” so that Mead and Buhl can work closely on a transition of the office. Mead will be sworn in to office and a public ceremony commemorating his installation to the post will be scheduled later in January.
“The job of acting Marshal is an enormous responsibility,” said Cherokee Nation Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh. “But, Daniel Mead has the experience to lead and maintain the high standards the Council and the Cherokee people expect from the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service.”
Mead, 45, resides in Tahlequah.