Texas Ranger Association Foundation

We Remember. We Honor. We Will Never Forget. 🇺🇸

Today, the Texas Ranger Association Foundation honors the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, and remembers the heroes who answered the call.

We honor the firefighters, law enforcement officers, first responders, military members, and ordinary citizens who showed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

On this Patriot Day, we remember those who gave everything and the enduring spirit of courage, service, and sacrifice that continues to unite us.

September 11, 2001 — We will never forget.

Yesterday, we remembered September 8, 1900, when one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history struck the Texas coast.

The Great Galveston Hurricane, a Category 4 storm with estimated winds reaching 145 mph, devastated Galveston Island. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, and an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people lost their lives, making it the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history.

In the aftermath, Texas Rangers were called to Galveston to maintain peace, protect property, and uphold the law amid the devastation and chaos.

The Ranger service came with great personal risk. As Galveston struggled to recover, a yellow fever epidemic swept across the island, claiming the life of at least one Texas Ranger.

The story of the Rangers is not only one of battles and outlaws. It is also a story of service in times of crisis and standing with Texans when they need help most.

💬 What’s an interesting fact you know about the Great Galveston Hurricane? Share it with us in the comments!

On September 1, 1935, the Texas Department of Public Safety officially began

operations, marking a significant turning point in the proud history of the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers, whose roots stretch back to 1823, became a division of the newly created Department of Public Safety. This transition brought the Rangers into a modern, professional law-enforcement structure while preserving the traditions of service, courage and dedication that had defined the Rangers for more than a century.
The creation of DPS did not create the Texas Rangers, it ushered them into a new chapter of their storied history. From the Republic of Texas to the modern day, the Texas

Rangers have remained committed to one enduring mission: serving and protecting the people of Texas. ⭐️

Celebrating 50 years of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame! ⭐️

TRAF was honored to join the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, Texas Rangers, community leaders, and special guests for a memorable 50th Anniversary Dinner.

We were proud to celebrate alongside retired Texas Ranger James Holland, Chief Jason Bobo, Assistant Chief Kip Westmoreland, Major Wende Wakeman, and many others who continue to honor the history and legacy of the Texas Rangers.

Congratulations to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame on 50 remarkable years! We’re grateful to be part of this special celebration and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.

Photo 1: Chief Jason Bobo, Assistant Chief Kip Westmoreland, TRAF Chairman David Gaither, Retired Ranger James Holland, and Major Reuben Mankin.

Photo 2: Greg Copeland, TRAF Board Director Michelle Copeland, and Assistant Chief Kip Westmoreland.

Photo 3: Retired Ranger James Holland, Chief Jason Bobo, and Major Wende Wakeman.

Photo 4: Major Reuben Mankin, Retired Ranger Matt Cawthon, TRAF Board Director Steve LaMantia, and TRAF Board Director Michelle Copeland.

Photo 5: Retired Captain Barry Caver and TRAF Chairman David Gaither.

On August 20, TRAF was pleased to welcome Paige Mudd, Executive Director of Bob Tallman’s Charity, for a special tour of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum.

We are grateful for Bob Tallman’s Charity’s continued support and for the opportunity to share the history and enduring legacy of the Texas Rangers. We look forward to continuing this valued partnership.

📸 Group Photo: Texas Ranger Matt Cawthon, Ret.; Janet Padilla, Executive Director, TRAF; Paige Mudd, Executive Director, Bob Tallman’s Charity; Cathy Cundiff; and Carl Lambert, Immediate Past Chairman, TRAF.

📸 Tour Photo 1: Major Wende Wakeman; Ranger Matt Cawthon, Ret.; Cathy Cundiff; Paige Mudd; Carl Lambert; Lt. Chad Matlock; and Museum Docent Jan Devereaux.

📸 Tour Photo 2: Ranger Matt Cawthon, Ret.; Carl Lambert; Paige Mudd; and Cathy Cundiff.

Thank you, Paige, for joining us and experiencing the stories and traditions preserved at the Museum.

A New Chapter Begins for the Texas Rangers Division 🤠⭐️

​The Texas Ranger Association Foundation proudly congratulates Chief Jason Bobo on his appointment as Chief of the Texas Rangers Division (effective Sept. 1, 2026), and Ranger Major Kip Westmoreland as Assistant Chief!

​Chief Bobo brings 20+ years of law enforcement experience, including over 15 years as a Texas Ranger. Together with Assistant Chief Westmoreland, their leadership and service will guide the Rangers into their next chapter.

​We also express our deepest gratitude to Chief Scotty Shiver, who is retiring after 31 years of dedicated service to Texas and the DPS. Thank you, Chief Shiver, for your extraordinary legacy.

​Please join us in congratulating Chief Bobo and Assistant Chief Westmoreland, and thanking Chief Shiver for his remarkable career!
​Three exceptional Rangers. One proud tradition. A new chapter begins.

​ ScottyShiver RangerTradition TexasHistory

Texas Ranger John B. Armstrong Captures Outlaw

On August 24, 1877, one of Texas’ most notorious outlaws finally met his match.

Texas Rangers and local authorities confronted John Wesley Hardin aboard a train in Pensacola,

Florida. Hardin attempted to draw his pistol, but the weapon became tangled in his suspenders.

Officers knocked him unconscious and took him into custody.

Two of Hardin’s companions were also arrested. A third man, identified as Mann, had a pistol in his

hand and was killed by Texas Ranger John B. Armstrong, who had pursued Hardin across the

country.

The capture was a remarkable example of Ranger determination. John B. Armstrong, known as

“McNelly’s Bulldog”, had tracked one of the most feared gunmen of the Texas frontier beyond the

borders of Texas and helped bring him to justice.

The capture of John Wesley Hardin became one of the legendary episodes in the history of the Texas

Rangers.



RangerHistory TRAF ThisDayInHistory

Yesterday, August 12, we remembered an important moment in Texas Ranger history: the Battle of Plum Creek.

On August 12, 1840, Texas Rangers led by Ben McCulloch joined fellow Texans and Tonkawa allies in pursuing the Comanche following the Great Comanche Raid on Victoria and Linnville.

The Battle of Plum Creek became a defining moment in the early history of the Texas Rangers, highlighting the courage, determination, and frontier skills that helped defend the Republic of Texas.

Remembering the people and events that shaped the Texas Ranger story.


TexasRangerAssociationFoundation OnThisDay

50th Anniversary of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame

This invitation is being shared by the Texas Ranger Association Foundation on behalf of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

Join the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum as they celebrate 50 years of honoring the legacy, service, and sacrifice of the Hall of Fame Rangers.

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
📍 Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
100 Texas Ranger Trail
Waco, Texas 76706

🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🍽️ Dinner: 6:30 PM
Dinner & Silent Auction

🎙️ Guest Speaker:
Texas Ranger James Holland, Ret.

🎟️ Tickets:
General Admission — $125
Texas Rangers & their spouses — $85

For more information or to reserve your tickets, please contact the Museum at (254) 750-8631.

RSVP by August 21, 2026.