A horizontal logo with the text Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers, along with a graphic of a gold star Texas Ranger badge containing the text Texas Ranger

Beyond the Badge: 
The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have been unique figures in law enforcement since 1823. Throughout their long tenure, the rangers have provided security, military, and investigative functions in Texas. Often portrayed as larger-than-life in popular culture, the rangers have earned both admiration and criticism for their actions as a policing arm of Texas.

Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of Texas Rangers highlights the official records and other resources about the rangers available at TSLAC. The exhibit features records dating back to the 1800s, when rangers were citizens hired on a temporary basis to protect the frontier, up to their current role as employees of the Texas Department of Public Safety. We invite you to explore this exhibit to learn where in the State Archives to find details about the 200-year history of the legendary Texas Rangers.

A yellow tinted photograph of five standing men wearing cowboy hats and rifles with two seated men in front wearing cowboy hats and rifles. Group of rangers posing with rifles on a lawn in front of a small house, about 1919. J.R. Hunnicutt collection, 1968/029-422.

Photograph of a yellowed half sheet certificate with handwriting on the form fields. Hamer, Frank A., October 1, 1918. Regular Rangers service records, Texas Adjutant General Service Records, 401-56.

A photograph of two men with cowboy hats and cowboy boots squatting down and looking at a broken open safe. Dudley White and Red Arnold investigating a safe burglary, September 23, 1954. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112-R-400.

Photo Credits:
Group of rangers posing with rifles on a lawn in front of a small house, about 1919. J.R. Hunnicutt collection, 1968/029-422. 
Hamer, Frank A., October 1, 1918. Regular Rangers service records, Texas Adjutant General Service Records, 401-56.
Dudley White and Red Arnold investigating a safe burglary, September 23, 1954. Texas Department of Public Safety photographs, 1983/112-R-400.

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Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers Exhibit Pages:
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Please note: TSLAC exhibits are not comprehensive historical narratives and reflect only a small sampling of the range of the materials in the State Archives. Please note that collections at the State Archives are primarily government records, which may limit the perspectives represented in exhibit cases. 

Page last modified: May 31, 2023