Today, after the White House announced President Obama’s intent to nominate state police Lieutenant Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell to be the next U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island, United States Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, who recommended Lieutenant Colonel O’Donnell for the job back in April, issued the following statement:
“Lieutenant Colonel O’Donnell has served our state with great distinction as a member of the Rhode Island State Police. His outstanding leadership and experience will enable him to continue serving and protecting the people of Rhode Island as our next U.S. Marshal,” said Reed and Whitehouse.
U.S. Marshals play an important and versatile role in the federal justice system, overseeing federal courthouse security, witness protection, the apprehension of federal fugitives, and the transport of federal prisoners. They are appointed by the President and must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a four-year term of service.
Lieutenant Colonel O’Donnell has over 25 years of law enforcement experience, including 22 years with the Rhode Island State Police, two years with the North Kingstown Police, and one year with the Department of Corrections. In 2007, Governor Carcieri named then-Major O’Donnell as the Acting Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
Lieutenant Colonel O’Donnell is a decorated officer who has received 48 commendations from the Rhode Island State Police throughout his career and numerous awards and honors, including being named one of ten “Top Cops” nationwide by President Bill Clinton in 1995 and “Trooper of the Year” for the North Atlantic Region in 1996. He holds degrees in the Administration of Justice from the University of New Haven (B.S.) and Salve Regina University (M.S.).
Now that Lieutenant Colonel O’Donnell has been nominated by the President, he must be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and then confirmed by the full Senate.
