July 2023

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Newsletter

Department the City of Waco

Official State Repository of Texas Ranger Memorabilia

Home of Texas Ranger Bicentennial 1823-2023

Texas Ranger -- A Light in the Dark

April Voglino Burney, the wife of recently retired Ranger Brian Burney, created an artwork to honor the service and dedication of the Texas Rangers. She has generously loaned it to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum for display during the 200th anniversary of the Texas Rangers.

Her husband Brian served as a model for the drawing. April has said that her artwork is a “tribute to the Texas Ranger performing his primary duty of responding to the “call-out” of a crime scene, be it responding to the threat of an active crime situation, or responding to investigate a recent crime….He strides into the turmoil of the event, focused and prepared to carry out all that his training and experience have equipped him to do. …[his] primary goal is to shine the light of justice into the dark.”

Texas Ranger – A Light in the Dark

2023, Mixed media

April Burney and Terry McCafferty

Mrs. Burney has authorized the sale of a limited run of her beautiful artwork as 16” x 20” prints. Please contact either the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum Gift Shop (info@texasranger.org 254-750-8631) or the Texas Ranger Association Foundation (info@traf.org). Thank you!

1997 Secessionist Standoff

Donna Marie Miller is the author of the book Texas Secessionists Standoff: The 1997 Republic of Texas War. Her work discusses Richard McLaren and his “Republic of Texas Militia“ a seven-day standoff near Fort Davis, Texas involving hostage-taking and an armed standoff.

For the 25th anniversary of the event, author Miller and retired Ranger Captain Barry Caver and Ranger negotiator Jess Malone discussed the event at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Capt. Caver and Ranger Malone were credited with the successful recovery of the hostages and peaceful surrender of all but one of the militia members.

The Waco City Cable Channel (WCCCTV) filmed the panel discussion to become both a Discovering the Legend episode as well as a transcription for the history articles section of our website. WCCCTV distributes Discovering the Legend to over 50+ cable channels in Texas as well as on YouTube and Vimeo.

Please click here to watch the presentation. In addition, please click here to read the full transcript online.

Upcoming Events

Recap: Ranger Reunion and BBQ Cookoff 2023

The Texas Ranger Association Foundation 2023 Ranger Reunion, held on June 1st-3rd at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, was the largest in the history of the Reunions. We were privileged to assist the Texas Rangers in their selection and induction of four Rangers into the Hall of Fame. We were honored to support the Foundation and Texas Ranger 2023, Inc. in the Reunion and BBQ Cookoff.

Biographies on the four new 2023 Hall of Fame inductees can be read at

https://www.texasranger.org/texas-ranger-museum/hall-of-fame/. An exhibit of materials related to the career of Ranger Sgt. John Aycock was displayed at the Reunion and will be incorporated into a Hall of Fame display.

The Cookoff drew more than 20 teams from around the State. A team from the Floresville area in south Texas including Tommy Bunn Jr., Asa Fuller, Donald Brown, and Bronson Fuller won the one-of-a-kind Chief’s Award State Champion Trophy handcrafted by current Wilson County judge and retired Chief of the Texas Rangers Hank Whitman.

Please click here to read the full article by Wilson County News.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

The Texas Ranger Museum hosted a hiring event on June 10th for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in the Education Center.

Correctional officers and unit leadership from the surrounding area came out to meet and speak with individuals interested in joining the TDCJ team.

Staff from the TDCJ - Hilltop/Mountain View Complex presented Texas Ranger John Lingle with a special stuffed TDCJ bear and horse made by the unit's Special Projects as a thank you.

61st National Forensic Academy

Congratulations to graduates of the 61st National Forensic Academy in Oakridge, TN. Veronica Gideon, Texas Ranger in Austin and Joshua Benson, Texas Ranger in Liberty graduated from the 10-week academy on June 9th.

In Memoriam: William D. Vickers

We offer condolences to the family and friends of retired Texas Ranger Captain William Delmar "D.” Vickers who passed at age 83.

“D.” as he was known, was born in Clairemont, TX and went to High School in Andrews. He later joined the DPS Texas Highway Patrol in 1964, where he proudly served for 10 years.

Vickers promoted to the Texas Rangers in 1975. He was stationed in Company “E” in Snyder, Company “A” in Houston and Company “B” in Garland as a Lieutenant and Captain until his retirement in 2002.

Happy 100th Birthday, Texas Collection

The Texas Collection, part of Baylor University in Waco, is a special library and research center specializing in materials documenting the history, heritage, and culture of Texas. Established in 1923, it is now one of the largest Texana collections in the world. While the focus is on the Lone Star State, the Texas Collection holds information on the Southwest, Mexico, westward expansion, and beyond consisting of millions of manuscripts, documents, books, photos, maps, etc.

Please click here to learn more about the Texas Collection.

Gift Shop Feature: Enamel Pins

Available in both silver and gold tone on white background.

Small 1" diameter $6.44 + Tax

Large 1.25" diameter $7.04 + Tax

To shop more items available for purchase, please visit our Gift Shop online or in person 9am to 4:30pm daily. You never have to pay admission to shop. Sales from the Gift Shop benefit the preservation and education activities of the Museum. Please call (254) 750- 8631 or email info@texasranger.org to order. We ship worldwide. Thank you!

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Bicentennial^TM Support

Contribute to the TRHFM in honor of the Texas Rangers Bicentennial™ in 2023. With a $100 contribution, you will receive:

A limited-edition enameled bronze pin featuring a Texas Ranger Bicentennial™ seal
A certificate signed by an active or distinguished retired Texas Ranger
Your name or family name on the online roster of Bicentennial Supporters™
A one-time-use family admission ticket (admits 4) to the Museum.

$90 of the contribution qualifies as a charitable contribution. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a 170(c) government-owned nonprofit.

Please click here to learn more about the program.

Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Bicentennial Pin

Trademarked by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety Designed by the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum

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ENJOY

$2.00 OFF

Expires 8/31/2023

Save $1.00 off regular adult admission for up to two adults. Coupon not valid on discounted senior or military admission. No cash value.

The museum is open 9am to 5pm with the last guest admitted at 4:30pm. The museum is located off I-35 and University Parks Drive in Waco, Texas. For more information, call (254) 750-8631 or visit www.texasranger.org.

Newsletter Compiled by Christine Rothenbush, Marketing & Development Specialist