Indian tribal police

On November 18, 1844, the Cherokee Nation established the first Lighthorse company, a unit of mounted tribal policemen referred to as Lighthorsemen.

Indian Agency Police were tasked with the enforcement of federal laws, treaty regulations, and law and order on Indian agency land.

At the time very few tribes had tribal government, and therefore no tribal laws or police forces, thus the Indian Agents and their officers were often the only form of law enforcement in Indian Country.

As of 2025, a total of 79 officers and 1 K9 of the tribal police have been killed in the line of duty.

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