www.thetexasrangers.org • October 2017 • Issue 19 Chance Collins, new Asst. Ranger Chief Texas Rangers, Chief Randy Prince and years and has two children, Chance Allen DPS Director Steven McCraw announced. and Anita. Collins’ appointment was effective He received a bachelor of science de- Sept. 1. gree from Wayland Baptist University, is As Co. F Major, Collins commanded a a graduate of the FBI National academy widespread company covering 43 coun- (class 256) and class president of the 14th ties, including the cities of Waco, Austin session of the National Forensic Academy and San Antonio. at the University of Tennessee. Additionally, he had management On Chance Collins’ promotion, Rang- responsibilities of the Unsolved Crime er Chief Prince said, “He has earned such Investigation Program, Officer Involved great respect built on unquestioned com- Shooting Investigation and operations of petence and integrity and is most estab- the regional Special Response Team and lished by his selfless service. Crisis Negotiations Unit. Of his time with DPS, Collins was as- “His approach to leadership is fair, con- signed to the Texas Highway Patrol and structive and humble. Leadership should Texas Rangers in Regions 2 and 7. always be about the people and Chance His career has included 14 years as a does that with purpose, not to necessarily Chance Collins Ranger with assignments on the Ranger acquire more accolades, but a purpose to make valuable changes and have a posi- Chance Collins, a veteran of 23 years Reconnaissance Team, Crime Scene Inves- tigation, Headquarters Administration, tive impact. with the Texas Department of Public Safe- Major Crimes Task force and Commander “He carries my highest recommenda- ty and most recently Co. F Major in Waco, of Special Weapons and Tactics Team. tion and I unequivocally support his se- has been named Deputy Assistant Direc- Chief Collins is a native of Tyler and has lection in assisting me build on the excel- tor of the DPS and Assistant Chief of the been married to his wife Lourdes for 21 lence of the Texas Rangers.” TRAF Raffle Drawing extended until November 1, 2017 Buy your winning ticket today! Prize: 2017 RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4. Only 750 tickets sold: $100 each! 100% proceeds to support TRAF charitable purposes, including the Scholarship Fund! Winner need not be present to win. Winner must be 18 years old. The winner must claim vehicle within 30 days of drawing, or after 30 days, a new winner will be announced! For more information and to purchase your raffle ticket(s), contact the TRAF office at 254-752-1001. Good luck! Texas Ranger Association Foundation Newsletter October 2017 Rangers apace with border, Harvey partment of Public Safety worked tirelessly in response to By Randy Prince the destruction in the wake of this Category 4 hurricane. Chief, Texas Rangers Many of our employees took action to help others even As you already know, the though their own homes and property suffered significant department has made a loss. sustained effort to secure A cadre of Texas Rangers and SOG operators were part of our southern border. This the first wave of responders, utilizing Mine Resistant Am- initiated with Ranger RECON operations in 2010 and later bush Protective Vehicles, an armored tactical vehicle, two transitioned into Operation Zodiac inflatable boats and one SAFE Boat to rescue over Strong Safety (2014) and 900 people in the affected areas. Operation Secure Texas Our Rangers and tactical operators performed valiantly, (2015). with a unity of effort to save so many lives, working long The around-the-clock pres- hours and engaging in countless character driven acts of ence of air, marine and ground courage and good will. units provided direct support The world watched as this disaster struck, and they were to the U.S. Border Patrol to de- able to see the DPS at its finest. The dedication to duty Randy Prince tect and interdict smuggling was outside remarkable considering the collateral and un- events between the ports of favorable conditions. entry at the Texas/Mexico border. This initiative included Director Steve McCraw said, “Clearly, many lives were leveraging integrated technologies and capabilities such saved and many rescues conducted by our commissioned as Operation Drawbridge. officers, whether troopers, special agents or Texas Rang- The success of the department’s border security efforts are beyond impressive and the support our governor and ers. Numerous examples of selfless sacrifice and courage legislative members have provided has been immeasur- occurred while rescuing our fellow Texans and for that, the able. entire department extends its pride and gratitude.” I am proud of the tenacity, work ethic and perseverance Sometimes we are callused by our enforcement duties, our men and women have displayed, and as President but our ardent response to those in need was a reminder Theodore Roosevelt stated, “Far and away the best prize why we are held in such high regard. that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work Finally, a profound thank you to the directors of the worth doing.” Texas Ranger Association Foundation for their continued This quote could not be exemplified any greater than the support and concerns for others in time of need. TRAF work our Rangers have done along our southern border. helped set the tone for recovery with benefits that cannot be measured. Changing Guard Each of you routinely acts in a manner that embodies the spirit of good and we are forever indebted to your con- The Texas Ranger Division has seen unprecedented tributions. Greatness is pouring your heart out and that growth in the past two years. With additional positions al- was displayed over and over again. located and recent retirements, fulfilling the new division strength of 172 rangers has been a formidable and ongo- ing task. Texas Ranger Association Foundation However, the men and women that make up our roster Star Journal have done an exceptional job with recruitment to fill these positions of trust and character allowing us to build upon Constance White, Chairman the legacy. I am humbled by the caliber of people we have Dave Wilson, Vice Chairman in the division and hold no reservations about the road Rick Hernandez, Treasurer forward. Thomas Schleier, Secretary Liz Myrick, Executive Director Hurricane Harvey Bill Hartman, Editor Hurricane Harvey is finally gone, but as you all know, 104 Texas Ranger Trail • Waco, Texas 76706 Texas continues dealing with the widespread devastation (254) 752-1001 and aftermath of this historic storm. For weeks, the De- Page 2 Texas Ranger Association Foundation Newsletter October 2017 Chairman’s report – Rangers, DPS were simply heroic By Constance White Dear Friends … welcome to nandez, who while working at the HEB distribution center in TRAF Chairman the 19th issue of The Star Jour- Houston during the storm’s aftermath, found personal time to nal, and “our hats off” to Editor tend to the needs of the Co. A Ranger families affected by the and TRAF Director Bill Hartman flooding as well as delivering meals to the DPS first-responder who spends countless hours command post. publishing each issue for our Others have provided generous resources and donations to enjoyment. help our affected Texas Rangers with hurricane relief. Each publication tells the There are many heroes among us and we thank you! story of how the Texas Rangers I had the opportunity to travel to Lubbock (Co. C) and Dallas continue to display their coura- (Co. B), where both held their first annual Texas Ranger Classic geous devotion to the citizens Sporting Clay Tournaments. of Texas and how TRAF’s sup- These fun events have become a popular way of raising port of their efforts and for their funds for the TRAF scholarship fund, and congratulations to families is unwavering. both for executing successful events. As a Houstonian, I am grateful I look forward to attending the Texas Ranger Classic with Co. for the first responders, volun- E in San Angelo on Oct. 7 and with Co. D in Edinburg Oct. 21. teers and the many acts of kind- Company A’s Classic has been rescheduled (because of the ness during Hurricane Harvey. direct hit by Hurricane Harvey) for March 2, 2018, in Houston. To quote one first responder in The TRAF executive committee and Executive Director Liz Constance White the days following the storm, Myrick have met on several occasions to expand our agenda “There is more love in this city to enhance what is already a strong organization. than water!” Liz is at the core of our ongoing activities, and we appreci- As you will read in Chief Prince’s column, Rangers and mem- ate her hard work and obvious respect for the Texas Rangers. I bers of the DPS traveled from across the state to assist in search am so proud of each TRAF director who is working behind the and rescue. Their many hours spent with physical exhaustion scenes on behalf of our purpose of supporting the active and to save hundreds of lives in unimaginable conditions was he- retired Texas Rangers and securing their legacy. roic. Again, thank you for your dedication to TRAF and thank you I would also like to express thanks to Co. D Director Rick Her- for continuing your prayers for the safety of our Texas Rangers. Asst. Chief Frank Malinak retires By BILL HARTMAN spoke at the retirement party hon- Star Journal Editor oring Frank and his wife, Lesley, who is a police lieutenant with the Texas It’s been a long ride since Frank Ma- Health and Human Services Commis- linak was hired as a deputy sheriff in sion in Austin.