The legacy of a longstanding public servant was commemorated this week as the family of A.D. Marshall, the namesake of the Fort Worth Municipal Court building, paid a visit to the site that honors his vast contributions to the city. The building, which carries Marshall's name since 2007, stands as a testament to his dedicated service — first as a Fort Worth police officer from 1952-1985, and then as a deputy marshal from 1985 until his retirement in 2005.
Marshall, affectionately nicknamed "Knockfire" during his tenure, was remembered by family and visitors alike on what would have been his 96th birthday, just one day after the family's poignant visit, and according to the City of Fort Worth, Court Director William F. Rumuly reflected on the occasion, stating, "It was an honor to host the family of A.D. Marshall and see the positive generational impact and joy his family has for his 53 years of public safety service to our community."
This moment of remembrance and legacy took place in a building with its own storied past, the A.D. Marshall Municipal Court Building once stood as the second city hall, built in 1938 with funds from the Public Works Administration and a city bond issue; it replaced the original City Hall from 1892, a limestone fixture of Fort Worth's early days ultimately demolished for the current structure's construction, the present edifice, described by regional counsel for the PWA Walter A. Koons at its dedication as sturdy, unpretentious, yet impressive, reflecting the straightforward and enduring nature of public infrastructure designed for the ages.
During their tour, the Marshall family, comprising of A.D.'s sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, gathered around a commemorative plaque celebrating Marshall's service, their presence weaving the personal narrative of one man's dedication into the fabric of the building's historic and civic importance; this was captured in photographs that showcased the family in front of the plaque and amongst the Municipal Court staff, and in a poster from Marshall's retirement ceremony in 2005, all evidencing a familial and communal pride clear to anyone who witnessed or saw the images which now serve as a part of the building's ongoing story.
