Arizona Rangers

Revision Date: 
Wednesday, September 2, 2020

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Arizona Rangers

Authority

The Arizona Rangers were initially formed in 1901and disbanded in 1909. Arizona Ranger pensions were established in 1955. Former Rangers reestablished the auxiliary as a community service organization in 1957. General provisions relating to Arizona Rangers were reestablished in 2002.

Current statutory authority for the Arizona Rangers is found at A.R.S. §41-4201. Arizona Rangers’ pensions are described in A.R.S. §41-951 through §41-956 as a program under the control of the Governor.

Function

Currently, the Arizona Rangers are a law enforcement and assistance civilian auxiliary group, consisting of unpaid volunteers. The Rangers do not possess any law enforcement or investigative powers. Their services are provided on the request of and under the control and supervision of established law enforcement officials or officers. The members provide youth support and community service and work to preserve the tradition, honor and history of the 1901-1909 Arizona Rangers.

History

In 1901, the Governor of the Territory was authorized to establish one company of Arizona Rangers to protect the frontier, preserve the peace and capture persons charged with a crime. The Territory provided Rangers with provisions, arms and ammunition. Members provided their own horse, six pistols and camp equipment. Horses killed in action were replaced by the Territory and the cost of replacement was determined by the captain. Statute outlined terms of enrollment, selection of a base of operations, powers of the captain, power to make arrests, compensation and disbandment of the company. See Revised Statutes of Arizona Territory 1901, Title XLVI (Military Code of Arizona), Chapter 2, paragraphs 3213 through 3230.

Laws of the Territory of Arizona, Twenty-second Legislative Assembly (1903) Act No. 57, appropriated $600 to the widow of Carlos Tafolla, an Arizona Ranger killed October 7, 1901 in the line of duty. Mrs. Aceana Tafolla was to receive $25 per month, drawn by the Territorial Auditor from the General Fund of the Territory of Arizona. Act No. 64, adopted the same year, revised the 1901 provisions, setting the amount and procedure for payment, directing that pack animals and equipment be sold and the proceeds deposited in the Ranger funds with the Territorial Treasurer, and requiring uniforms and badges for Rangers.

Laws of the Territory of Arizona, Twenty-fourth Legislative Assembly (1907) Act No. 100, repealed the fixed property tax levy established in 1901 and dedicated to the Ranger Fund and instead provided for maintenance of the institution by the Territorial Board of Equalization.

Laws of the Territory of Arizona, Twenty-fifth Legislative Assembly (1909) Act No. 4 repealed the Ranger Force of the Territory of Arizona. The bill was vetoed by the Governor, however the veto was overridden by the Legislature and the measure went into effect.

Laws 1955, Chapter 32 established Arizona Rangers’ pensions for surviving members, outlined the application process, and authorized the Governor to issue a pension certificate to qualified pensioners. The measure also required the state auditor to maintain a pension roll and to issue monthly warrants to each pensioner. A widow of a pensioner was entitled to receive the monthly pension amount. The measure included an appropriation of $6,000 for fiscal year 1955 for payment of pensions. The amount of the monthly pension was increased to $400 in 1978, to $450 in 1982, to $500 in 1983, to $600 in 1985 and to $650 in 1987. Laws 1987, Chapter 342 authorized the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) to adjust Ranger pensions based on inflation. Laws 1990, Third Special Session, Chapter 3 authorized the ADOA to adjust the monthly pension amount based on Gross National Product price deflator, rather than based on a change from the prior year. In 1993, legislation was enacted to calculate pension amounts using the Gross Domestic Product implicit price deflator (rather than the Gross National Product). See Laws 1993, Chapter 112, Section 16.

Laws 1973, Chapter 172 was an omnibus measure relating to equal rights for males and females. With regard to the Arizona Rangers, the measure provided benefits to a surviving spouse, not only to a widow.

Laws 1979, Chapter 221 provided that a surviving spouse was entitled to receive a Ranger’s pension, regardless of whether the Ranger was receiving a pension at the time of death.

Laws 2000, Chapter 193 updated endorsement requirements for a pensioner’s warrant.

Laws 2002, Chapter 112 established general provisions relating to the Arizona Rangers. The Purpose clause explained the measure recognizes the Arizona Rangers, reestablished in 1957 by original members, and that Arizona Rangers, past and present, are a most valuable and important part of the historical heritage of dedicated, unselfish and honorable service to the state and its citizens.

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§41-4201 and 41-951 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1955, Chapter 32
    • Laws 1973, Chapter 172
    • Laws 1978, Chapter 47
    • Laws 1979, Chapter 221
    • Laws 1982, Chapter 304
    • Laws 1983, Chapter 100
    • Laws 1985, Chapter 259
    • Laws 1987, Chapter 342
    • Laws 1990, Third Special Session, Chapter 3, Section 6
    • Laws 1993, Chapter 112, Section 16
    • Laws 2000, Chapter 193, Section 434
    • Laws 2002, Chapter 112

Arizona Rangers website

Related collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 042 – Arizona Rangers 1901-1943