Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force — Inside America's Elite Marshals Unit
How A&E documented the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force hunting dangerous criminals across state lines
Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force premiered on A&E on December 9, 2008, introducing audiences to the high-stakes world of fugitive apprehension. The half-hour reality series documented the relentless operations of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF), following U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement officers as they tracked down dangerous criminals across state lines.
The show ran for three seasons, producing 39 episodes that captivated viewers—Season 1 alone averaged 1.6 million viewers. A&E greenlit the series partly for its public relations value, with the U.S. Marshals Service granting cameras access to active investigations and operations.
The NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force itself became operational in May 2002, established as a congressional mandate following the September 11, 2001 attacks. By the time the show aired, the task force had grown into a formidable law enforcement operation with three offices across the New York/New Jersey area and Memoranda of Understanding with over 80 federal, state, and local agencies.
The series featured a rotating cast of dedicated law enforcement professionals. Lenny DePaul served as Commander and Chief Inspector of the U.S. Marshals Service contingent, often directing major operations. Tommy Kilbride, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) supervisor, brought expertise in tracking immigration-related fugitives. Other key personnel included Greg Holmes and Mike Romani as Senior Inspectors, Michelle Mendez as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, and Detective Roxanne Lopez of the Spring Valley, New York Police Department, who became a fan-favorite for her aggressive pursuit tactics.
Episodes showcased diverse criminal investigations. Early Season 1 episodes featured cases ranging from previously deported felons operating in Brooklyn to sexual predators hunted across state lines into Florida. A particularly harrowing multi-episode arc followed the hunt for the killer of Kalif Logan, who had been shot 13 times with an AK-47, with the investigation leading task force members deep into North Carolina woodlands.
