Ralph “Papa” Thorson was a California bail enforcement agent who became one of the best known bounty hunters of the twentieth century.
His career inspired the book Hunter by Christopher Keane and the 1980 film The Hunter, which was Steve McQueen’s final movie. The photo shows vintage handcuffs from a police museum collection.
Why He Matters
Thorson helped bring public attention to the work of bail enforcement agents, a profession that was little understood at the time.
Safety Note
Never approach a wanted person yourself. If you have information about a fugitive, contact law enforcement. Learn more about fugitive recovery history and public bulletins at FugitiveHQ.
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