The Texas Rangers are a famed law enforcement organization recognized for their bravery, competence, and unyielding commitment to justice.
The Rangers, which were created in 1823 as a volunteer militia to protect settlers from Native American incursions, have become synonymous with the Wild West and the fight against outlaws, bandits, and other criminal elements.
Many Texas Rangers have become famous throughout the years for their acts of heroism, legendary gunfighting abilities, and unwavering commitment to enforcing the law.
The Rangers have a rich past filled with larger-than-life individuals and astounding acts of daring, from William “Bill” McDonald, who helped bring down the famed criminal John Wesley Hardin, to Frank Hamer, who helped track down and kill the iconic gangsters Bonnie and Clyde.
Today, the Texas Rangers remain a symbol of law and order, carrying on their long legacy of service to the state of Texas and its inhabitants.
Famous Texas Rangers
1. William “Bill” McDonald
William “Bill” McDonald was a famed Texas Ranger from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. McDonald was born in Texas in 1852 and became a rancher and lawman before being chosen as a Texas Ranger in 1891.
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McDonald earned a reputation as a Ranger for his toughness, persistence, and firearms skills. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the chase of legendary bandit John Wesley Hardin, whom McDonald assisted in apprehending and prosecuting.
McDonald was also involved in the inquiry of the historic Jaybird-Woodpecker feud in Fort Bend County, Texas. His efforts to terminate the feud aided in restoring peace and stability to the region.
McDonald left the Texas Rangers in 1907 to become a U.S. Marshal and then a city marshal in El Paso, Texas. He died in 1918 at the age of 66, but his memory as one of Texas’ most iconic Rangers lingers on.
2. John Coffee “Jack” Hays
John Coffee “Jack” Hays was a well-known Texas Ranger during the mid-nineteenth century. Hays migrated to Texas in the early 1830s after being born in Tennessee in 1817 and rapidly became involved in the war for Texas independence.
Hays joined the Texas Rangers in 1836 and swiftly advanced through the ranks to become captain. He became famed for his shooting skills, and his legendary “six-shooter” weapon was reputed to be deadly accurate.
Hays was involved in many high-profile confrontations and skirmishes with Native American tribes and Mexican bandits throughout his service as a Ranger. He was a significant figure in Texas’ triumph at the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840, as well as the historic Siege of Bexar in 1835.
After leaving the Texas Rangers, Hays went on to serve as a Texas state senator, a United States Indian agent, and a Rebel officer during the Civil War. He died in 1883 in California, but his legend as one of the most famous and revered Texas Rangers of all time lives on.
3. Samuel Hamilton Walker
Samuel Hamilton Walker was a Texas Ranger who was an important figure during the Mexican-American War. Walker, who was born in Maryland in 1817, migrated to Texas in 1842 and became a Texas Ranger in 1844.
During the Mexican-American War in 1846, Walker was influential in the formation of a company of mounted volunteers known as “Walker’s Texas Rangers.” This battalion of volunteers was ultimately absorbed into the regular United States Army and was known as the 1st Texas Mounted Rifles.
Walker was an important player in various fights during the conflict, including the Battle of Monterrey in September 1846, in which he was wounded in the arm. He later returned to duty and was killed in fighting during the Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847.
Walker’s legacy as a Texas Ranger and a military hero remains on, despite his brief career. He will be remembered for his bravery, proficiency with a pistol, and steadfast dedication to serve his country. His name was given to the famous Colt Walker revolver, a six-shot black powder revolver used by the Texas Rangers and the United States Army during the Mexican-American War.
4. Frank Hamer
Frank Hamer was a legendary Texas Ranger most remembered for his participation in the hunt and final shooting of notorious robbers Bonnie and Clyde. Hamer, who was born in Texas in 1884, began his career as a law enforcement officer in 1905 as a member of the Texas Rangers.
Hamer rose to become one of the most feared and recognized Rangers of his era, known for his intelligence, tenacity, and ability to apprehend fugitives. In 1934, he was tasked with leading a squad of law enforcement officers in the hunt of Bonnie and Clyde, who were responsible for a series of killings and robberies across the Midwest.
Hamer and his squad worked relentlessly to apprehend the infamous couple, and their efforts were rewarded in May 1934, when they encountered Bonnie and Clyde on a desolate road in Louisiana. In the ensuing shootout, the outlaws were murdered, and Hamer became a national hero for his involvement in their arrest.
Hamer remained a Texas Ranger until his retirement in 1949, after which he was inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. He died at the age of 71 in 1955, but his legacy as one of the most iconic Texas Rangers of all time lives on.
5. Joaquin Jackson
Joaquin Jackson was a notable Texas Ranger of the twentieth century. Jackson, who was born in 1936 in the border town of West Columbia, Texas, joined the Texas Rangers in 1966 and served for nearly 27 years.
Jackson was renowned as a Ranger for his bravery, loyalty, and steadfast commitment to justice. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the investigation into the infamous Carrasco prison siege in 1974, and he was instrumental in the fight against drug cartels and other criminal groups along the Texas-Mexico border.
Jackson rose to prominence as a public personality and author after writing many books about his experiences as a Texas Ranger, including “One Ranger: A Memoir” and “One Ranger Returns.” He also played a retired Texas Ranger in “The Highwaymen” (2019).
Jackson died at the age of 80 in 2016, but his reputation as one of the most renowned and revered Texas Rangers of all time lives on.
6. Leander H. McNelly
Leander H. McNelly was a Texas Ranger from the 1870s. McNelly, who was born in Kentucky in 1844, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War before relocating to Texas in 1867.
McNelly was appointed as a Texas Ranger in 1874, and he immediately established a reputation as a daring lawman eager to confront even the most dangerous offenders. He was given command of the “Special Force,” a special force of Rangers entrusted with restoring law and order to Texas’ unruly areas.
The Special Forces became recognized for their brutality and readiness to use force to attain their objectives under McNelly’s leadership. They were involved in a number of high-profile conflicts and skirmishes with Mexican bandits and livestock rustlers, and they were instrumental in putting an end to the bloody Sutton-Taylor Feud in 1877.
Despite his success as a Texas Ranger, McNelly’s techniques were divisive, and he was fired from the Rangers in 1877. He died at the age of 33 in 1877, but his legend as one of the most feared and respected Texas Rangers of all time endures.
7. John B. Jones
John B. Jones was a Texas Ranger during the nineteenth century. Jones, who was born in Virginia in 1834, migrated to Texas in 1857 and became a Texas Ranger in 1868.
Jones earned a reputation as a Ranger for his fearlessness, ability with a gun, and dedication to enforcing the law. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the chase of legendary bandit John Wesley Hardin, whom he assisted in apprehending and bringing to justice.
Jones was also involved in a number of fights and skirmishes with Native American tribes, notably the legendary Battle of Palo Duro Canyon in 1874, where he played a significant role in the Comanche tribe’s defeat.
Jones served as a sheriff and justice of the peace in many Texas counties after leaving the Texas Rangers in 1884. He died in 1901 at the age of 67, but his legacy as one of Texas’ most respected and accomplished Rangers remains on.
8. Ben McCulloch
Ben McCulloch was a well-known Texas Ranger during the mid-nineteenth century. McCulloch, who was born in Tennessee in 1811, traveled to Texas in the early 1830s and became involved in the war for Texas independence.
McCulloch joined the Texas Rangers in 1835 and rapidly became known for his fearlessness, skill with a gun, and ability to apprehend fugitives. He took part in numerous high-profile fights and skirmishes with Native American tribes and Mexican bandits, including the infamous Battle of Plum Creek in 1840.
During the American Civil War, McCulloch joined the Confederate Army and was given command of a Texas brigade. He took part in various conflicts, notably the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in Missouri in 1861, where he was killed in action.
Although his brief tenure as a Texas Ranger, McCulloch’s legacy as a courageous lawman and war hero endures. He will be remembered for his bravery, devotion to Texas, and unshakable dedication to serving his country.
9. John S. “Rip” Ford
John S. “Rip” Ford was a Texas Ranger during the mid-nineteenth century. Ford arrived to Texas in the early 1830s after being born in South Carolina in 1815 and became involved in the war for Texas independence.
Ford joined the Texas Rangers in 1836 and rapidly became known for his fearlessness, skill with a gun, and ability to apprehend fugitives. He took part in numerous high-profile fights and skirmishes with Native American tribes and Mexican bandits, including the infamous Battle of Plum Creek in 1840.
Ford served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He took part in various fights in Texas and Louisiana, including the Battle of Palmito Ranch, which is regarded as the Civil War’s final combat.
Ford returned to Texas after the war and became interested in politics. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, as well as a United States marshal.
Ford died in 1897 at the age of 82, but his legacy as one of Texas’ most respected and accomplished Rangers remains on. He will be remembered for his bravery, devotion to Texas, and unshakable dedication to serving his country.
10. James B. Gillett
James B. Gillett was a Texas Ranger who served between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Gillett, who was born in South Carolina in 1860, traveled to Texas in 1875 and began his career as a cowboy.
Gillett joined the Texas Rangers in 1878 and rapidly became noted for his fearlessness, skill with a gun, and ability to apprehend fugitives. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the chase of legendary bandit John Wesley Hardin, whom he assisted in apprehending and bringing to justice.
Gillett was also involved in various fights and skirmishes with Native American tribes, notably the legendary Battle of Tularosa in 1880, in which he played a vital role in the Mescalero Apache tribe’s defeat.
Gillett went on to become a wealthy rancher and businessman after leaving the Texas Rangers, and he eventually wrote a book about his adventures as a Texas Ranger called “Six Years with the Texas Rangers.” He died in 1937 at the age of 77, but his legacy as one of Texas’ most respected and accomplished Rangers remains on.
11. John Barclay Armstrong
John Barclay Armstrong was a late-nineteenth-century Texas Ranger. Armstrong, who was born in Tennessee in 1850, went to Texas in 1875 and began his career as a rancher.
Armstrong was appointed as a Texas Ranger in 1881, and he rapidly became known for his fearlessness, proficiency with a gun, and ability to apprehend fugitives. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the chase of legendary bandit John Wesley Hardin, whom he assisted in apprehending and bringing to justice.
Armstrong was also instrumental in combating cattle rustlers and other criminal organizations along the Texas-Mexico border. He took part in various engagements and skirmishes with Mexican bandits, including the well-known Las Cuevas War in 1875.
Armstrong went on to become a successful businessman and politician after leaving the Texas Rangers. He was a U.S. congressman before becoming the commissioner of the General Land Office in Texas.
Armstrong died in 1913 at the age of 63, but his legacy as one of Texas’ most respected and accomplished Rangers remains on. He will be remembered for his bravery, commitment to enforcing the law, and unflinching dedication to serving the people of Texas.
12. John R. Hughes
John R. Hughes was a Texas Ranger who served between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Hughes, who was born in Texas in 1855, began his career as a cowboy and then as a lawman.
Hughes was appointed as a Texas Ranger in 1887, and he immediately established a reputation as a daring lawman eager to confront even the most dangerous offenders. He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the chase of legendary outlaw Sam Bass, whom he assisted in apprehending and prosecuting.
Hughes was also instrumental in combating livestock rustlers and other criminal organizations along the Texas-Mexico border. He took part in a number of engagements and skirmishes with Mexican bandits, including the legendary Battle of Tres Jacales in 1892.
Hughes went on to become a wealthy rancher and businessman after leaving the Texas Rangers, and he eventually wrote a book on his adventures as a Texas Ranger called “Texas Ranger: Indian War Pensions.”
Hughes died in 1947 at the age of 91, but his legacy as one of Texas’ most respected and accomplished Rangers lingers on. He will be remembered for his bravery, commitment to enforcing the law, and unflinching dedication to serving the people of Texas.
13. Manuel T. “Lone Wolf” Gonzaullas
Manuel T. “Lone Wolf” Gonzaullas was a famous Texas Ranger from the early twentieth century. Gonzaullas, who was born in Texas in 1891, began his legal career in the 1920s as a deputy sheriff in Dallas County.
Gonzaullas was selected as a Texas Ranger in 1925, and he rapidly became known for his aggressiveness, intelligence, and uncompromising dedication to justice.
He was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the pursuit of infamous bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde, whom he assisted in tracking down and apprehending.
Gonzaullas was also active in Texas’ fight against organized crime and other criminal organizations, and he was instrumental in the development of forensic science techniques and other law enforcement measures.
Gonzaullas left the Texas Rangers in 1951 to work as a security consultant and technical advisor for Hollywood films and television shows. He died in 1977 at the age of 86, but his legacy as one of the most respected and accomplished Texas Rangers lingers on.