Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

Honoring some of the Lone Star State’s Finest

- John Schwartze

When it comes to the country’s best known law enforcement organizations, few can hold a candle to the Texas Rangers. Its fame can only be rivaled by the notoriety of some of the legendary outlaws its Rangers killed or captured, such as Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin, along with present-day criminals such as Ángel “The Railroad Killer” Reséndiz. It’s only fitting that someone erected a shrine to the officers who’ve served in its ranks. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco not only provides a rich history of the Rangers’ role in protecting the community, it also offers outreach and educational programs.

In 1823, Stephen F. Austin asked for a group of 10 men to volunteer as Texas Rangers to help settlers repel Native American attacks in the early days of the frontier. Today, after almost 200 years in existence (the oldest state law enforcement body in the country’s history), it continues its law enforcement activities as a statewide investigative agency. And, unbeknownst to many, women also serve within the ranks.