Ranger Newsletter
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www.thetexasrangers.org • March 2018 • Issue 21 Snyder asst. chief, Collins to DPS Region 7 Texas DPS Col. Steve McCraw and Texas Before joining the DPS, he was with the Ranger Chief Randy Prince have announced Nolan County sheriff’s office as jailer, dis- the interim appointment of Major Todd H. patcher, jail administrator, patrol and K9 Snyder as acting assistant director of the handler. Ranger Division. A native of Roscoe, Snyder attended Mc- Since that position requires approval by Murray University in Abilene where he the Public Safety Commission, he will be played football and ran track. He also at- recommended for that position at the PSC’s tended West Texas College in Snyder, and is next meeting on April 26. a graduate of the Texas DPS Command Col- Major Snyder had been major of Co. C in lege. Lubbock, and his interim appointment was Todd’s wife, Lana, is a realtor in Lubbock effective March 1. He succeeds Chance Col- and they have a son, 20, who is in the U.S. lins as assistant chief. Todd Snyder Army, and a 28-year-old daughter and Collins was appointed DPS Region 7 (Cap- 10-year-old granddaughter. itol Complex) Commander at the end of De- cember. Before his assignment as assistant division Snyder, who has been with the Texas DPS director, Collins was the major of Co. F in more than 22 years, commanded 17 Rang- Waco. He joined the DPS in 1993 and among ers in Co. C along with 2 lieutenants and other duties, was commander of SWAT. He two administrative assistants. Co. C consists previously served as a special agent of the of 71 counties and approximately 66,775 governor’s protection detail. square miles. Collins has a BS degree from Wayland Bap- Prior assignments have included Texas tist University and graduated from the FBI’s Highway Patrol, criminal law enforcement national academy. He also graduated from and the Rangers in duty stations in West Tex- the National Forensic Academy at the Uni- Chance Collins as and the Panhandle. versity of Tennessee. TRAF scholar, intel chief is reunion speaker Dr. Heather R. Martin, chief of the Mission dollar Overhead Persistent Infrared portfolio. Processing Branch at the National Geospatial In this role she leads and directs a team of Agency, is the special guest speaker for the experts in the acquisition, engineering and 2018 Retired Texas Ranger Reunion in June in management of multiple programs supporting Waco. Department of Defense and intelligence Dr. Martin, daughter of former Ranger Chief community needs. Hank Whitman, is a former recipient of a Texas Dr. Martin joined the U.S. Air Force in 2002 as Ranger Association Foundation scholarship. an intelligence officer and has served as an Air She is headquartered in Springfield, Va. and and Space Operations Center counterterrorism is responsible for managing a $140-plus million analyst, Middle-East/North Africa analyst, Cyber Dr. Heather Martin continued on page 3 Texas Ranger Association Foundation Newsletter March 2018 Chairman’s report – TRAF and Rangers strong as ever By Constance White Spring is here, and with it TRAF Chairman brings the anticipation of the The loss of Texas Ranger Royal McMullin in January, fol- annual Retired Texas Ranger lowing a courageous battle with cancer, reminds us that Reunion. Scheduled for June life is precious and valued. The gift that Royal left his family 8-9, the theme of the reunion and friends is one of integrity and courage. is “Honoring the Texas Rang- ers, Past, Present, and Future.” These same values live on in each Texas Ranger today as they face adversity and the challenges of their daily work. Invitations will be sent Royal had a common saying during his treatments which soon, and we look forward to was, “I’ve got this,” or, “We’ve got this.” seeing you for another enjoy- able weekend together. For those who knew him, you couldn’t find a better friend and the words “you’ve got this” would serve as his The Texas Ranger Associa- motivational support to others for whatever the challenge. tion Foundation continues to build on its strengths set forth “We’ve got this” is the belief and work ethic of our Rang- by past and present board ers as they approach each new day. “We’ve got this” is Constance White members. Working together TRAF’s promise to support the them as they honorably to support the Rangers and protect us. Whatever the unknowns are going forward, their families is a responsibil- the unique relationship between TRAF and the Rangers is ity that we all share while these brave men and women as strong as ever. Together, “We’ve got this”. selflessly continue their legacy in protecting the citizens of Texas. Prayers for safety. McMullin was a devoted and caring ber of El Paso Lodge No 130 A.F. & A.M. husband, father, brother and friend, and Services for Ranger McMullin were OBITS he loved being a Texas Ranger. held on March 2 at St. Luke’s Catholic Royal was a veteran of the United Church in El Paso and was attended by Ranger McMullin States Air Force and a 15-year veteran of family and friends. Buried in El Paso the Texas Department of Public Safety. Burial was at the Memorial Gardens He served as a Texas DPS State Trooper, of the Valley Cemetery in Santa Teresa, Texas Highway Patrol Corporal, Com- N.M., across the Texas border from El Texas Ranger mercial Vehicle Enforcement Sergeant Paso. Royal Andrew and a Criminal Investigations Sergeant. He is survived by his wife, Cristina, his McMullin, 47, He promoted to Texas Ranger – Co. E, three children, Seth, Ashley, Rachael fought a coura- El Paso, in December 2013. and an expected grandchild. geous battle with Ranger McMullin was awarded the Di- In lieu of flowers, and to honor Rang- an aggressive rector’s Citation in 2008 for his life-sav- er McMullin’s wishes, his family request- cancer for over a ing actions, and he received the Veter- ed donations in his memory be made year before dying an’s National Defense Service Medal for to the Texas Ranger Association Foun- Royal McMullin on Jan. 26. service to his country. He was a mem- dation. OBITS continued page 5 Page 2 Texas Ranger Association Foundation Newsletter March 2018 TRAF scholar – continued from page 1 analyst, U-2 Mission Operations Commander for the Air Deputy Division Chief for Intelligence, Surveillance and Force Distributed Common Ground System and lead for Reconnaissance Requirements, Air Force Intelligence, the Air Force Geospatial-Intelligence Capabilities Working Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, Lackland Air Group, Analytical and Technical Element. Force Base. Her staff assignments include serving as the Deputy Dr. Martin is a recipient of many awards and decorations Chief of Staff for Headquarters 25th Air Force, Joint Base including Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak San Antonio-Lackland, where she was responsible for leaf cluster, Air Force Civilian Achievement Award National advising the Commander, Vice Commander and Executive Defense Service Medal, National Reconnaissance Office Director on a broad range of operational issues as well as Innovative Achievement Award, and National Geospatial- coordinating functions and activities for more than 26,000 Intelligence Agency Special Act Award. military and civilian personnel assigned to 25th Air Force. She was a TRAF scholar when attending Portland State Dr. Martin’s staff experiences also include serving as an University in 2001. She earned a PhD in International Executive Officer for the 603rd Support Group, Ramstein Development, Security Studies, from University of Air Base, Germany, serving on the Intelligence Officer Southern Mississippi. Assignments Team, Headquarters Air Force Personnel She and her husband, Carl, have two sons, Carter and Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph; and as the Logan. Promotions & Retirement LT. RICK Rivera has announced AS OF Jan. 1, Thomas AS OF Jan. 1, Stephen West EFFECTIVE FEB. 15, Troy his retirement from the DPS AND Norsworthy has been has been promoted from Wilson, Ranger Training Rangers, effective March 31. promoted from agent, CID, CID, Corpus Christi to Texas Coordinator at Co. HQ, has Most recently he has been a Houston, to Texas Ranger, Co. Ranger, Co. D in Corpus been appointed to staff lieutenant in Co. D in Welasco. D in Kingsville. Christi. lieutenant, digital forensic He has served the DPS for 24 program HQ. years. New forensic spot at HQ Jarod Browne Agent, CID, Lubbock to digital forensic investigator HQ, Austin (03-01-18). This is a new commissioned position in the Ranger Division. Page 3 Texas Ranger Association Foundation Newsletter March 2018 ‘TRAF members are great friends’ – Capt. Vickers served Texas DPS 37 years By Joan Neuhaus Schaan Star Journal Writer Born in the East Texas town of Clairemont and raised in “Rangers excel in providing honest, selfless service and West Texas, William D. Vickers began his career with the exhibiting a sincere caring for each individual. Combined Department of Public Safety in 1964, and earned his posi- with determination and a faith in duty in the face of at- tion with the Texas Rangers in 1975. tempts at intimidation, Rangers are admired statewide for Ranger Vickers’ service to the state took him first to their work ethic. The qualities are not taught. They are part northwest Texas, working out of Snyder, then back to east- of the Ranger’s character,” he added. ern Texas -- Garland and Houston - for the remainder of his During his Ranger career, Vickers served Co. B as a Rang- career. er and later as captain. He was a Ranger initially in Retiring in 2002 as a captain, Vickers shared Snyder with Co.