The first known Texas Ranger badges were worn by members of Capt. Leander McNelly’s Washington County Volunteers in the 1870s. “Official” badges were not issued by the State of Texas until 1935 when the Texas Department of Public Safety was formed. Today the Ranger “circle star badge” is the most famous in the world—and regrettably the most counterfeited (please read our “Beware Fake Badges” page ).

The museum collection serves as the official State collection. It begins even before badges existed with 1830s paper commissions. Some of the badges were worn on horseback by frontiersmen; three orbited the earth in 2002 on Space Shuttle Mission STS-111. Here are some of the historic badges:

The Texas Rangers/Texas DPS have authorized the addition of current badges to the collection for their 200 ^th anniversary. They are tightly controlled as befits a state symbol and are produced only by specific warrant from the Texas Rangers.

After we called for sponsors to bring the collection up to date, Kevin Johnson, of Johnson Bits & Spurs, graciously offered to donate examples of the eight current ranks: Texas Ranger , Lieutenant , Staff Lieutenant , Captain , Staff Captain , Major , Assistant Chief , and Chief .

It is especially meaningful in that Kevin is one of just two artisans authorized to make the badges for the Texas Rangers. By tradition, they are made from Mexican silver five-peso, gold-plated and gold 50-peso coins.

The badges Mr. Johnson is crafting and donating are made from the silver five-peso coins. Higher ranks of Captain, Staff Captain, Major, Assistant Chief and Chief will be gold-plated. We are deeply grateful for this gift and the estimated two weeks of hand work it will take to complete them.

Please click here to watch a video segment from Texas Country Reporter on the making of spurs and Texas Ranger special requests by Mr. Johnson.

Left to Right: Kevin Johnson with Texas Ranger Alvin Schmidt. Photograph courtesy Mr. Johnson.

Before gold prices skyrocketed, higher ranks wore badges made from 50-peso Mexican gold coins. The five senior Ranger ranks now receive badges made from gold-plated silver coins. Many Rangers still privately purchase gold 50-peso coins or receive them as gifts for their badges to maintain the tradition.

We hope to obtain examples made from gold coins. Donors are sought to cover the cost of the six coins – five to be made into badges and an example of the coin for display. Kevin has generously agreed to make them if the coins are provided.

If you would like to contribute towards this with credit to your family or company, please contact Byron Johnson, Director, at 254-750-8631 or by email at [email protected] for details.

Another donation of Texas and Western history books has arrived at the Armstrong Research Center. Over the past five years, Jan Devereaux and Bob Alexander have donated several hundred volumes on Plains Indians, the U.S. Army of the West, border issues, Texas and the outlaw and lawman history of the greater Southwest. Their generosity has helped to strengthen the core collections of the Armstrong Research Center. Ms. Devereaux’s and Mr. Alexander’s continued support is greatly appreciated. 

In July, the Museum was power washed and painted. A special hydraulic lift was used to reach the tallest points on the building. Our thanks to the City of Waco Facilities Department and contractor Ramm Painting Service.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has announced the promotions of multiple Texas Rangers effective September 1, 2018.

Randall Prince is has become the Deputy Director of Law Enforcement Operations for Texas DPS. He will replace Deputy Director/Colonel David Baker, who is retiring August 31, 2018. Prince currently serves as the Division Director and Chief of the Texas Rangers Division, a position he held since October of 2014. Prince previously served as the Regional Director for DPS Region 5 in Lubbock, which encompasses Panhandle and West Texas area counties. Prior to that, he served as the Texas Ranger Company Commander in Lubbock. His career encompasses assignments in the Texas Highway Patrol, Criminal Law Enforcement Division and the Texas Rangers Division serving throughout the state. Along with more than 29 years of law enforcement experience, Prince also holds a Master Peace Officer Certificate; is a graduate of the FBI National Academy; and a graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program (Class XXXII). Prince is a graduate of Texas State University in criminal justice.

Freeman Martin has been promoted to Deputy Director of Homeland Security and Chief of Staff. Martin will replace Chief of Staff/Deputy Director Robert J. “Duke” Bodisch, who is retiring August 31, 2018. Martin is the current Regional Director for DPS Region 6 in San Antonio. He began his career with DPS in 1990 as a Highway Patrolman in Winnie, Texas. He transferred to Lubbock in 1995, later promoting to Corporal. In April 1999, Martin promoted to Sergeant in the Narcotics Service and was stationed in Houston. In March 2002, he promoted to Texas Ranger Sergeant and remained in Houston. In January 2008, he promoted to Texas Ranger Lieutenant in Austin, and Inspector within the Audit and Inspection Office in 2009. In May 2009, he promoted to Texas Ranger Captain in Houston, where he later promoted to Texas Ranger Major. In September of 2014, Martin was promoted to Regional Director of DPS Region 6. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, and has received numerous awards and commendations during his tenure with DPS.

Chance Collins is being promoted to Division Director and Chief of the Texas Rangers Division. Chance Collins currently serves as the Regional Director for DPS Region 7 - Capitol Region in Austin. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Division Director for the Texas Rangers. Collins began his career with DPS in 1993, and his previous assignments include Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team; Texas Ranger Reconnaissance Team; Texas Ranger Major of Company “F” in Waco; and Texas Ranger in San Antonio, Harlingen and Houston. Prior to his 15 years with the Texas Ranger Division, Collins held positions as a special agent on the Governor’s Protective Detail, and Texas Highway Patrol trooper in Perryton, Austin and Georgetown. He is a former member of the Ranger Officer Involved Shooting Committee, Crime Scene Investigation Committee, and the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program. Collins has a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University; graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy - Session 256; the DPS Command College - Cohort 6; and the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee.

Newsletter Compiled by Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist