Who We Are

Texas Ranger.  The Texas Icon.  The Texas Rangers have a proud heritage, one that any group could boast about their past deeds.  Just the fact that the Rangers were here before Texas was Texas is a great accomplishment.  Anyone who cares for the history of Texas, and our great nation, must feel a sense of duty to preserve and maintain that history; much like the Officers and Directors of the Texas Ranger Law Enforcement Association who are passionate about Texas History and the Texas Rangers.

The Officers and Directors of the TRLEA have come together with a common purpose, to advance the history and properly recognize the past and present Texas Rangers. The Officers and Board serve without compensation and volunteer all their time.  When possible the Board seeks out others who volunteer their time to accomplish the purpose of the organization.  TRLEA is not about seeking personal recognition,  yet we feel the public has a right to know about the Officers and Board that direct the activities of such an important non-profit organization.

                           BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON TRLEA BOARD MEMBERS

 

           Capt. David Byrnes, TRLEA Pres. and Director:

           Retired Texas Ranger Capt. David Byrnes entered D.P.S. in March, 1970.  He served in the Highway Patrol in Pecos, Denton, and Ft. Davis before being promoted to Texas Ranger, January 1, 1979; served as a Ranger in Midland and Snyder; was promoted to Sgt. (Lt) Sept. 1, 1986 and assigned to Co. “B” Garland as the first line supervisor; promoted to Capt. Co. “B” Texas Ranger, Dec. 1, 1991.  Retired Aug. 31, 1996.  Capt. Byrnes was the Task Force Commander during the Waco/Branch Davidian investigation.  Capt. Byrnes is currently serving his second term as Sheriff of Kaufman County.

 

           Lt. Robert Madeira, TRLEA V.P. and Director:

           U.S. Army Military Police, three years; City of Richmond Policy Patrolman, 2-1/2 years; Ft. Bend County Deputy Sheriff, two years; Texas Highway Patrolman, 14 years; Texas Highway Patrol Sergeant, 4-1/2 years; Texas Ranger, Company “A”, Houston, 6 years; Texas Ranger Lieutenant, Company “A” Houston, 5 years; Associate Degree Criminal Justice, Wharton Junior College; Corporate Security, Service Corporation International, Houston, 11 years.

            Sr. Capt. Maurice Cook, Sr., TRLEA Director:

            Maurice C. Cook, Sr. was born and raised in Texas; joined the U.S. Air Force at age 17 with duty of 1 year in South Viet Nam during the war years.  Fresh out of the service, the applicant worked as a policeman in 3 Texas cities before joining the Texas Department of Public Safety.  For the next 29+ years, the applicant served in some capacity in the DPS with the last 23 years as a Texas Ranger.  After 6 years in the Rangers, Cook was promoted to Sergeant, 2 years later to Captain, and 2+ years later to the Assistant Commander of the Texas Rangers and then to Chief of the Texas Rangers (same position as Senior Ranger Captain).  Since retirement in 1996, Cook has taught on the faculty of a community college and later completed law school. Cook holds an AA, BS, MA, and a JD degree and has been recognized as a distinguished Alumni from Sam Houston State University. He assisted with the formation of the Texas Ranger Law Enforcement Association and continues to support the mission of the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He is married to Sherry Cook of Bastrop, a 30 year veteran of state government who currently serves as the Assistant Administrator of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

            Chester Davis, Director:

            CEO of Ches-Lee Enterprises, Inc. dba American Fireworks.  President, 5-D Investments, Inc., a Real Estate Holding Company; President, Texas Pyrotechnic Association and Vice President, American Pyrotechnic Association.  He serves on the Board of the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory and the Hyde Park Baptist Church Foundation.  Mr. Davis is also a registered lobbyist.

             John H. Moon, Sr., TRLEA Director:

            Mr. Moon is a Banker and Investor; past Chairman/President of Banks for 25+ years; Recipient of Many Professional/Civic Awards; Graduate of Texas A & M Kingsville; Texas State Board of Public Accountancy; listed in Who’s Who in America.

            Dave Parks, TRELA Director:

            Dallas businessman; All American Graduate, Texas Tech University; NFL Number One First Round Draft Choice, San Francisco Forty-Niners, 1964; six-times all Pro; played NFL Football for the San Francisco Forty-Niners, New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers; President, Speedy-Weedy, Inc.; served as a Director, NFL Alumni Association, Dallas Chapter; member, Texas Football Hall of Fame; member, West Texas Hall of Fame;

            Roland Russell, TRLEA V. P. And Director:

            Roland Russell is a 5th Generation Texan.  He is currently President of Warbird, Inc., an international consulting company; Past Trustee, Department of Public Safety Officer’s Ass’n; Served on President’s Council, Tarleton State University, Past Director, State Bank & Trust, Dallas, Texas, Past Director, Dallas Council of World Affairs, Charter Patron of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation; Member, John Tarleton Society, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas; Master Mason; Scottish Rite 32nd Degree; Hella Shrine.

            Clark Willingham, TRLEA Chairman and Director:

            Mr. Willingham is a Dallas attorney specializing in business organizations and estate planning.  He is also in the cattle business and has served as president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Texas Beef Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  He currently serves as a Trustee of the Texas Agriculture Land Trust and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

 

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