Valentine Police Department

Lore & Background

The department represents the shifting tides of law in this era. While they lack the resources of larger city precincts, they are dangerous enough to deter casual violence. Their presence marks Valentine as a town trying to modernize its justice system amidst the chaos surrounding it. By the end of the gang's stay, the police force becomes increasingly hostile toward anyone associated with Arthur Morgan and his companions.

In Their Own Story

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across Valentine's muddy main street. A lone deputy mounted on a tired horse clattered past the saloon, his hand resting near his revolver. Sheriff Marsh stood in the doorway of the station, watching the crowd with narrowed eyes. He knew trouble was coming; he could smell it on the wind like gunpowder and cheap whiskey.

Reader's Guide

The Valentine Police Department functions as a localized arm of justice within New Hanover. Their primary goal is to enforce town ordinances and capture criminals who disrupt the economy or safety of residents. The force consists of Sheriff Marsh, who commands authority from his office near the train station, alongside several deputies who patrol on horseback. In terms of conflict, they serve as a mid-tier obstacle for players or characters attempting to operate openly in Valentine. While not as relentless as the Pinkertons initially, their cooperation grows as the narrative progresses. They represent the local community's desire for stability against the encroaching lawlessness of gang wars and bounty hunting. Members are equipped with standard issue revolvers and lever-action rifles, allowing them to engage outlaws at close range. Their role highlights the transition from frontier justice to organized policing.

Did You Know?

• The Pinkerton Agency was founded around 1850 by Scottish-born American Allan Pinkerton and Chicago attorney Edward Rucker as the North-Western Police Agency.
• At its peak from the 1870s to the 1890s, Pinkerton was the largest private law enforcement organization in the world.
• Pinkerton claimed to have foiled the Baltimore Plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861.
• During the Homestead Strike of 1892, three Pinkerton agents and nine steelworkers were killed in a confrontation.
• The Anti-Pinkerton Act of 1893 barred the U.S. government from employing individuals from the Pinkerton Detective Agency or similar organizations.