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The Three Guardsmen is the name popularized in Old West literature describing three lawmen who became legendary in their pursuit of many outlaws of the late 19th century. Deputy U.S. Marshals Bill Tilghman (1854-1924), Chris Madsen (1851-1944), and Heck Thomas (1850-1912) were The Three Guardsmen, working under Judge Isaac Parker, nicknamed the "Hanging Judge", in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Beginning in 1889, they began "cleaning up" part of what became the State of Oklahoma. Widely considered honest, dutiful, and capable, they were responsible for suppressing much of the outlaw element in the Indian Territory and environs, reportedly arresting in excess of some 300 desperadoes during the next decade, and killing several others. All three had the reputation of being dauntless in their pursuit, ignoring bad weather, and each was known for their unique tracking abilities. It, ironically, was from outlaws pursued by them that the nickname "Three Guardsmen" was first derived.

Their main claim to fame was their relentless pursuit of the members of the Doolin Gang, eliminating many of them systematically, and apprehending those that would surrender. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas was responsible for the killing of outlaw Bill Doolin. Deputy Marshal Chris Madsen led a posse that killed Doolin gang members "Dynamite Dick" Clifton and "Little Dick" West. Deputy Marshal Tilghman was ultimately responsible for the death of Doolin gang member "Little Bill" Raidler. Several other gang members were either captured or killed by them. [1]

Heck Thomas retired in 1905, and in 1907 accepted a Chief of Police position in Lawton, Oklahoma. He died in 1912 of Bright's disease. Bill Tilghman retired in 1910 and was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. On Halloween night, 1924, he was murdered by a corrupt prohibition agent named Wiley Lynn, while serving as town Marshal for Cromwell, Oklahoma. Cromwell at the time was a wild town full of brothels, pool halls and saloons. One month after his death, the entire town was burned to the ground without even one building left standing. Chris Madsen and other former law enforcement friends to Tilghman were believed to have been responsible. No investigation into the arsons was ever conducted, and the town of Cromwell never recovered. As of the 2000 census, it's population was less than 300. Madsen had retired in 1905, and died in 1944 at the age of 93.