The Author and Deputy State Commander Lt. Col. Rick Ellis discuss uniform standards, old and new.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, several western states had Ranger companies, mostly formulated on the model of the Texas Rangers, which were perhaps the first and are almost certainly the most famous. Colorado, New Mexico, California, and Arizona all had Ranger organizations. Virtually all of them are now defunct.
The Arizona Rangers were founded in 1901 to combat rustling and lawlessness that was giving the territory a bad reputation and stood in the way of the territory’s bid for statehood. The rangers, 26 men in all, were tasked with law enforcement over the entire territory. They mostly worked alone, often undercover, and had to provide all their own equipment. It was a tough way to make a living.
The Arizona Rangers don't get nearly the publicity of their Texas brethren, probably due to their short tenure, although Bill O’Neil did write a fine history of the Rangers; see the link below.
They were disbanded in ’09, having either arrested or chased off most of the real rowdies, and Arizona came to statehood in 1912. The territorial rangers moved on to other work, but in 1957 several of them decided they saw a need for a community service organization, and they reformed the Arizona Rangers as an all-volunteer law enforcement auxiliary. The new Arizona Rangers have been serving their respective communities and raising and donating money to children's charities ever since.
Today they are a recognized 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with four goals:
1. Render aid and assistance to law enforcement when called upon
2. Provide support for youth organizations
3. Support community activities that benefit all involved
4. Keep alive the traditions of the old west
I am proud to be associated with the Arizona Rangers, serving my local community and raising money for our children.
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