Badges That Won The West - Texas Ranger's Badge
Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
by JoAnn Graham
4G Company
The Texas Ranger badge is the emblem of a proud tradition of service that began 185 years ago and continues today. Rugged frontier Indian fighters, revolutionaries, detectives and lawmen--the Texas Rangers are the stuff of Western Legend.
The Texas Rangers had its beginnings as a citizen militia organized by Stephen Austin in 1823 to protect several hundred settlers who had migrated to Texas from across the United States and settled near the Gulf of Mexico. The militiamen were referred to as "rangers" because they ranged over the entire newly formed country of the Republic of Texas.
Privates in the Texas Rangers received the munificent sum of $1.25 per day, plus rations, clothing and horse feed and care. They enlisted for one year, and protected the citizens of the infant republic from raiding Comanches while Sam Houson and his army fought--and eventually defeated--General Santa Anna and the Mexican army.
The Congress of the Republic passed a law in the winter of 1836 providing for the raising of a batallion of 280 mounted troops to protect the frontier. The Rangers would serve for a term of 6 months. Other troops were subsequently added to the Rangers' ranks, and it was during this period of expansion that the heroic tales of Ranger exploits began to spread--even beyond the borders of Texas. With the Republic of Texas bankrupt and seeking statehood, they served under the most harrowing conditions, and often without pay.
Following the Civil War, the Rangers were organized into six companies, with 75 men per company. They were stationed at strategic points throughout the state, and instead of being the quasi-military organization they had been before, now were given the status of peace officers. During this era, they served as both--whichever was needed. When the threat was external--such as raiding Commanche or Mexicans, they were soldiers. But when the enemy was from within--outlaws, train robbers and road bandits--they served as detectives and policemen. Their duties transcended city and county borders, ranging over the entire state.
They were often called in as an investigative force when a case exceeded the capacities of local law enforcement. During the late 1800s, they fought a new kind of enemy--the fence cutters, horse and cattle rustlers that plagued the old West.
As the frontier disappeared, the Rangers gradually evolved into the modern law enforcement agency it is today, formally merging with the Department of Public Safety and assuming the duty of serving as the State Troopers of Texas. At over a hundred years old, the Texas Rangers is the oldest law enforcement agency with state-wide jurisdiction on the North American continent.
The badge itself is highly symbolic. Each is made from a Mexican five peso silver coin. The lined edge of the coin is clearly visible in the edges of the badge, as is the coin on the back side of the badge. The star, of course, represents the "Lone Star" symbol of Texas. The oak leaves on the left side stand for strength, and the olive branch on the right for peace. The five-point star inside a "wagon wheel" is common in Texas Ranger badges from the late 1800s, and is still used by Texas Rangers today.
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