In preparation for cooking chili with retired Texas Ranger Frank Malinak, I went on the trail to learn more about the history of the Texas Rangers. Turns out, the YO Ranch, founded by Captain Charles Schreiner has a history of hosting retired Rangers. The photo album above is courtesy of Darren Casey and YO Ranch. Thank you for giving Texicureans a glimpse of our Texas heroes.
Assembled in 1823 to protect the early settlers of Texas, Stephen F Austin was given command of this legendary law enforcement agency. Drawing on their collective skills, Native Americans, Tejanos, Anglo-Europeans, and African Americans signed up to “range” and protect the colonies. Hence it was said that a Texas Ranger could “ride like a Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like a Tennessean, and fight like the devil.”
Legendary Texas Rangers John Coffey Hays, “Bigfoot Wallace” and William McDonald helped form the enigma of the Texas spirit. The Institute of Texas Cultures states that “Next to the Alamo, the Texas Ranger is the best-known part of the Texas Legend…”
This legacy continues with training that is considered second to none, for the 172 highly selected men and women who proudly wear the boots, white hats and pistol belts of their predecessors. And of course, there is that iconic Cinco Peso badge.
“The Texas Rangers are among the most revered law enforcement divisions in the country for a reason. The elite and storied Rangers are men and women of integrity and moral fortitude, willing to risk their lives in selfless service to the state of Texas”. Steve C McGraw, Director, Texas Department of Public Safety
Organized into 6 companies: Company “A” Houston, Company “B” Dallas, Company “C” Lubbock, Company “D” McAllen, Company “E” El Paso, Company “F” Waco, and Headquarters in Austin. The Rangers continue the traditional jobs conducting criminal and special investigations, apprehending wanted felons, suppressing major disturbances, protecting life and liberty, and rendering assistance to local law enforcement officials.
A Special Operations Group has been formed in recent years to counter terrorist activity, criminal threats, and drug trafficking organizations.
Explains Lacy Finley, executive director of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, “We know these things about their service: There is no time off, one Late-night call easily becomes many more, Rangers find themselves in difficult situations, they have a servant’s heart, and could easily have followed careers in the private sector.”
The enigma of the Texas Ranger has inspired novelists, actors, and film-makers. The Lone Ranger, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Lonesome Dove have all dramatized the heroic mystic of the Texas Ranger. In the 1936 movie The Texas Rangers, Fred Mac Murray who portrays a Texas Ranger is met by leading citizens who are alarmed that there is only one Ranger to clean up their town. “Only one fight, ain’t there?” replies McMurtry in a paraphrase of the famous “One riot, one Ranger” line.
Texas Rangers are a seamless, selfless, ambassador for our way of life back to the earliest days. Can of beans and all. Thank you for your service, Frank, and reminding us what Texas cooking is really all about — the people you’re feeding.
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