The Founding of OWMLA

The Old West Mounted Lawmen's Association was started in 2000 by James T. Murphy. Jim was a military policeman for three years on the island of Okinawa and was also a member of the Armed Forces Police (made up of all branches of the service) while in Okinawa was still under United States rule. In addition, Jim served as a part-time special police officer and mounted patrolman for the Town of Brookfield, New Hampshire. He also served briefly as a Pinkerton detective working out of an office  in Hartford, CT. His interest in both the old west and law enforcement combined to make up this unique organization.

OWMLA currently ha 51 members, 35 which are active. Members are from several different states and run the gamut of active and retired sheriff's deputies, state highway patrolmen, police chiefs, FBI, prison guards and city police. We are proud to proclaim that the famous television and movie actor, Clint Walker, is an honary member and recipient of Badge #9. Before Clint became famous as "Cheynne Bodie" on television, he was a bonafide sheriff's deputy in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The picture on this page is of the founder and commander of OWMLA, James T. Murphey, and is an oil on linen painted by western artist Joe Netherwood and appropriately titled "The Law."