Texas Ranger Chief Antonio “Tony” Leal, a native of Fort Bend County, has announced his retirement effective March 31.
Leal was the youngest Texas Ranger and first Hispanic to hold the chief’s position.
During his tenure, Leal was charged with overseeing the state’s most complex and major investigations, border security operations, public corruption cases and special tactical resources, creating the department’s first full-time SWAT team.
Leal is retiring after 27 years of service to the DPS to accept a job in the private sector. He and his family will be returning to the Houston area.
Texas DPS Director Steven C. McCraw praised Leal’s leadership of the legendary law enforcement team.
“Chief Leal was instrumental in bringing the highest degree of professionalism and leadership to the Ranger Division and he will be sorely missed by all members of the Department,” McCraw said.
Governor Rick Perry also congratulated Leal on his distinguished career.
“The Texas Rangers are a distinguished law enforcement group that have played an instrumental role in Texas’ history. Under Tony’s leadership, the Rangers have continued their vital duties and legendary service to the people of Texas, making public safety their top priority, defending our border and protecting our communities,” Perry said.
Leal, 47, became a highway patrol trooper in 1984, stationed in Fort Bend County. While there, he received multiple letters and awards of recognition, led his area in criminal apprehensions and was awarded the Houston Area 100 Club Officer of the Year Award.
He promoted to highway patrol sergeant in 1991 and served in San Antonio.
Leal was promoted to Texas Ranger in 1994 with Company A in Houston, and then Company D in San Antonio. During his time as a Ranger, Leal led numerous multi-agency task forces and major investigations that included serial killers, murder investigations and public corruption cases.
In 2000, Leal was named one of the members of the new Unsolved Crimes Investigation Unit and successfully solved that unit’s first murder case, one involving a teenage girl whose case had gone cold after 11 years. In 2002, Leal promoted to lieutenant and then commander of the Ranger’s Cold Case Squad.
In 2005, Leal promoted to Company Commander in Houston and in 2008 he was promoted to the highest rank in the Ranger service, that of Chief Ranger.
Leal serves as a director of the prestigious Texas Lyceum, board member of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, board member of the Texas Ranger Foundation and is a member of numerous professional associations.
Assistant Ranger Chief Hank Whitman has been appointed as the interim Chief of the Texas Rangers.
Quiet
~`*`~
It’s no secret . . Tony Leal is praiseworthy! Tony’s loyalty and quite honorable perseverence as Chief of The Texas Ranger Division, successfully lead to the ever elusive capture of “The Twilight Rapist”.
Did you know our very own Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, initiated “The Twilight Rapist Task Force” — January 2010? It is the successful beginning to the successful ending to one of Texas Most Wanted criminal raping elderly women.
“I Pray Edna Is Feeling Safer Now”
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
Edna, Texas presently resides safer within it’s Jackson County bloodlines to my extraordinary cousin-in-law enforcement, Sheriff Andy Louderback. Edna police officers Mike Yaws and Robert Chastain are vitally important to the arrest of Billy Joe Harris, 53 of Missouri City, later identified as “The Twilight Rapist”. DNA was “known to have flown” aboard a DPS aircraft … connecting the dots to Edna’s safety.
Connecting The Dots
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*
“The successful development of evidence in this case is the result of the hard work of dedicated local, state, and federal law enforcement officer of The Task Force.” ~ Sugar Land’s very own thoroughbred raised and praised-worthy Chief of The Texas Ranger Division, Tony Leal.