www.thetexasrangers.org • October 2016 • Issue 16 3 Ranger Majors assigned new roles Texas Ranger Chief Randy Prince has announced two promotions and a transfer among the major ranks, eff ective Oct. 1. Major Jeff rey Collins, who has headed Co. A in Houston, has been transferred to Austin headquarters as major of the Public Integrity Unit. Major Jason Taylor, who had been a captain in the PIU at headquarters, has been promoted to replace Collins at Co. A. Major Grover (Frank) Huff , who had been captain of administration Major Jeff rey Major Jason Taylor Major Grover at headquarters, has been promoted to Co. B Collins (Frank) Huff Roles continued page 5 3 clay shoots raise $185,000 for Foundation The three TRAF clay shoots have Danny’s Pawn and Sporting, held in San Antonio on Sept. 16 and raised over $185,000 for the Texas Chameleon and Associates, and Allied raised $41,000. The title sponsor Ranger Association Foundation. A Universal were also key players in the was HEB. They hosted 75 shooters. fourth, put on by Co. A, will be held in event. We thank the Star 4-H group Director Tom Schleier oversaw this early 2017. who provided the station pullers. event with the help of Director David Texas Ranger Classic - Co. D shoot Co. D had 137 shooters and 200 Conlon, who provided tumblers was held in Edinburg on Aug. 27 and in attendance. The winning team for the goodie bags and Director raised an outstanding $77,444. Their was composed of Robbie Benevides, Jimmy Hasslocher who provided the title sponsors were HEB and Sheriff Aly Besteiro, Rolly Tamayo and Avery excellent food. Billy Hopper. Kibbie. New Co. F Director Joey McCarty Hopper’s gift of $25,000 was given Top fi nishers were Chad Cooley, was also a key player by securing in honor of Co.D Major Brian Burzynski. high overall; Robbie Benevides, several of the sponsors! The auction Director Rick Hernandez and his crew runner up overall; Shea Self, high brought in $16,000. worked diligently to make this such female overall; and Cole Cooley, high Members of the championship a success along with Director Steve youth overall. team at the Co. F shoot were Anissa LaMantia and L&F Distributors, Safe Team fl urry champs were Cole Banks, Keith Banks, Ross Dickenson Global Services, who hosted the VIP Cooley, Chad Cooley, J.C. Carrillo and and Wayne Swaim. party, and Alvaro and Irma Gonzales Rick Bailey. who were big contributors. Texas Ranger Classic - Co. F was Foundation continued page 3 Page 1 Texas Ranger Association Newsletter October 2016 Director McCraw addresses department-- Vigilant responders always at the ready By Randy Prince responders that rushed into the across the entire nation; the legions Chief, Texas Rangers burning twin towers never to return; of fi rst responders and emergency military and civilian personnel that personnel everywhere who run Hello again to responded to the Pentagon when a toward danger in order to help our friends and passenger airliner was fl own into the others; and the brave and devoted supporters of heart of our nation’s defense; and members of the United States Armed the Texas Ranger heroic passengers of the doomed Forces. Association hijacked airliner that fought back “I know you are uniquely aware Foundation. It is a and forced the fl ight to end in a that we live in a world with an ever- continuous honor desolate Pennsylvania fi eld instead present threat of terrorism and to provide periodic of a vital U.S. target. crime,” said Director McCraw. Randy Prince updates regarding In an address to Texas And if we needed reminding the great work Department of Public Safety just how important his statement conducted by the men and women employees in remembrance of the was, the next day — terrorists again of the Texas Ranger Division. victims of 9/11, Director Steven directly challenged our freedoms Unfortunately, we have been McCraw highlighted not only the and safety with bombings on the busy conducting high threat recent attacks around the world but streets of New York and New Jersey criminal investigations, offi cer also the terrible crimes and senseless and a mass casualty stabbing in involved shootings, occurrences of tragedies that have occurred closer Minnesota. public corruption and tactical events to home in recent years. The constant threat to our nation requiring a response by our Special McCraw stated the importance requires a vigilant law enforcement Operations Group. to recognize and give thanks to our community to maintain the fi rst-line Each of us recalls the horrifi c Troopers, Special Agents and Texas defense of our homeland. events of Sept. 11, 2001, that took Rangers who report for duty every The cornerstone of our so many innocent lives. This past day to protect this state from all responsibilities and succeeding anniversary gives us pause to think threats; our many local, state and success will always be to support of our valiant and intrepid law federal partners who we work with enforcement, fi refi ghters and fi rst to ensure safety within Texas and Prince continued page 9 Chief Prince announces changes in Ranger ranks Ranger Chief Randy Prince Pettigrew, Co. B, Decatur, after 27 Co. B Decatur), Nicholas Castle has announced multiple years DPS and six as a Ranger. (Sgt. THP Tyler to Co. B Palestine), retirements, promotions and Transfers within the Corey Lain (Lt. Co. D Corpus to transfers in the Ranger service, department include Wesley Capt., Administration HQ Austin), including Major William (Tony) Doolittle (Co. A Conroe to Co. A Gustavo Sanchez (Agent CID El Bennie, who retired in August Houston), Christopher Perkins Paso to Co. E Midland). from Co. B after 30 years in the (Co. F NW Austin to Co. A Conroe). Also, Michael Smith (Sgt. THP Texas Department of Public Also, Brian Burney (Co. E to Co. F NW Austin), Sgt. Veronica Safety, 20 of which was with the Midland to Co. E Odessa), Derek Gideon (to Co. F NW Austin), Rangers. Leitner (Co. F Llano to Co. A Adam Russell (SWAT Austin to Co. Other retirements include Conroe) and Major Jeff Collins F Killeen) and Brad Weatherford Major William Ranger Ron Duff , Conroe, Co. (Co. A Houston to HQ Austin). (CID agent to Co. F Victoria). The (Tony) Bennie A., after 26 years in the DPS and Promotions include Jeremy fi nal four positions were to be 13 as a Ranger; and Ranger Ron Wallace (Trooper Gainsville to eff ective Oct. 15. Page 2 Texas Ranger Association Newsletter October 2016 Director Emeritus Robert Dabney, a member of the TRAF board of directors since 1983, has been selected as a direc- tor emeritus. Bob Stratmann Joan Neuhas Dabney was Schaan nominated as a TRAF director by Ret. Capt. Jack Dean. 2 new TRAF Dabney repre- sented Co. A in Houston and directors elected practiced law in Texas and Two new members have joined the Texas Ranger other states 57 Association Foundation board of directors. years, retir- Joan Neuhaus Schaan is from Houston and will ing in 2013. Robert Dabney represent Co. A. She is the executive director of the William Stamps Farish Fund, which is a large private foundation benefi tting Texas charities, particularly in the fi elds of health and education. She is responsible for vetting grant proposals, working with grant recipients and reporting to the board of cont. from page 1 Foundation trustees. The fi ve-stand champ was Rue Ferguson with 24 of 25. Bob Stratmann has joined the board representing Individual winners were Anissa Banks high overall as Headquarters. Bob is a lifelong Texan and lives in well as top female (score of 99) and Keith Banks, runner up Georgetown. He has owned Stratmann & Associates since overall (score of 97). 1976 and specializes in valuation of residential real estate Winners received commemorative belt buckles. throughout Central Texas. Co. E’s shoot was held in San Angelo on Oct. 1 and Schaan is a graduate of Williams, MA college and holds raised $67,000. The event hosted 144 shooters. Title a MBA in business administration from Rice University. She sponsors were Lilly Construction and Tech Con Trenching. has a background in fi nancial, energy and security fi elds as The live auction brought in $27,000. well as being a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. The event was coordinated by the ever-awesome She has also been involved with homeland security volunteer Trish Aldridge. Other committee members were advisory projects and is a certifi ed law enforcement Directors Dave Wilson and Jerry and Susan Wellborn, instructor. Chairman Jim Chionsini, Joshua Tanner, Terry and Rodney Schaan said, “The Texas Rangers have long been Marsh and Danny Updike. an organization of exceptional qualities and has been Food was provided by Cooks for Christ. We were a cornerstone of our great state. In recent years I have honored to have the help of volunteers from the become aware of the professionalism with which the Goodfellows Air Force Base who were the station pullers. Rangers deal with current challenges and threats. Co. E winners were Dr. Michael Cornell, high overall “I’m honored to do my part to support these brave (score of 99); Lt. Chris Clark, high Ranger (score of 85) and men and women and honor their legacy.” Reece Dusek, high overall youth (score of 92). Schaan has a long history of working with school, Directors continued page 11 Page 3 Texas Ranger Association Newsletter October 2016 Chairman’s Report -- New directors, shoots huge help By Jim Chionsini relationship he has helped forge with advocating for scholarship funding TRAF Chairman H-E-B.