The Texas Rangers, an elite state law-enforcement agency, were formally proposed on October 17, 1835 and are considered the oldest state law-enforcement agency in North America. The organization, officially known today as the Texas Ranger Division of the state Department of Public Safety, traces its roots to Stephen A. Austin, who led the state’s earliest Anglo-European settlements and inspired Texans to fight for independence from Mexico. The Rangers were originally formed to protect settlers on the frontier and were given wide latitude to make individual executive decisions due to the vast distances they patrolled. Their legend has been fostered in pop culture, with references in movies and television shows such as “The Lone Ranger” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
The Texas Rangers have been deeply ingrained in Texas history, culture, and identity since their inception, and have been involved in several notable law-enforcement actions over the years. Perhaps the most famous incident involving the Rangers was the gunning down of Depression-era gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934 by Ranger Frank Hamer. Hamer also played a role in battling the Ku Klux Klan in Texas, preventing multiple lynchings in the process. Despite their low numbers, the Rangers continue to patrol the vast Lone Star State with approximately 165 commissioned Rangers and 60 full-time support personnel. Their mission today includes leading criminal investigative responsibilities for major incident crime investigations, unsolved crime cases, public corruption and integrity investigations, officer-involved shooting investigations, and border security operations.
The Rangers have a legendary image in wider American culture and have been described as one of the most effective investigative law enforcement agencies in the world. Their reputation for autonomy and individual decision-making has contributed to their mystique over the years. The organization’s roots can be traced back to the formation of a corps of Texas Rangers in 1835 by Daniel Parker, a member of the ‘Permanent Council’ organized upon Stephen Austin’s return from imprisonment in Mexico. The Rangers have inspired various works of popular culture, such as movies and television shows featuring former Texas Rangers as heroes.
The Texas Rangers are known for their role in protecting settlers on the frontier and maintaining law and order in the vast expanses of Texas. Their ability to range across the state and make executive decisions has set them apart from other law enforcement agencies. The agency, with its limited number of personnel, continues to carry out its mission of conducting criminal investigations, solving unsolved crimes, addressing public corruption, and ensuring officer-involved shooting investigations. The Texas Rangers Association Foundation assists the agency in fulfilling its duties, and the organization’s legacy as an effective and efficient law enforcement agency remains intact to this day.
The history and mythology of the Texas Rangers are deeply ingrained in Texas culture and identity. The Rangers trace their origins to Stephen A. Austin and the early Anglo-European settlements in Texas, which eventually led to the fight for independence from Mexico. The Rangers were established to provide protection for settlers and were given broad authority to carry out their duties. Their legend has been immortalized in pop culture through various depictions in movies and television shows, with former Texas Rangers often portrayed as heroes. The agency’s reputation for effectiveness in investigative law enforcement has solidified its place as one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the world.
