Attending a special ceremony naming a Conroe boy to the Junior Texas Ranger program were, from left, Retired Special Ranger Ray Maxie, Texas Ranger Wesley Doolittle, Junior Ranger Alan Meza, Ranger Wende Wakeman and Judge Mike Davis.
A local youth appearing before Conroe Municipal Court Thursday came for praise, not punishment.
Ten-year-old Alan Meza, the son of Alfredo and Amparo Meza, of Conroe, was sworn in as a Junior Texas Ranger by Municipal Court Judge Michael Davis. Two active-duty Texas Rangers and a retired special-duty Texas Ranger attended.
“I picked Alan because he is a fine young man who respects the law, his family and his country,” Davis said. “His goal is to be in law enforcement when he grows up.
Texas Rangers Wesley Doolittle and Wende Wakeman and Special Ranger Ray Maxie were on hand to present Meza with his badge, a certificate of official membership and a pass to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco.
The Junior Texas Ranger program started in the 1930s as a promotional extension from the radio programs “Riding with the Texas Rangers” and “The Lone Ranger.” In 1936, the state of Texas officially authorized children to become Junior Texas Rangers and their names assembled in Texas Ranger records.
The Texas Ranger program began in 1823 when state colonizer Stephen F. Austin called for men to “range” the frontier, according to the Texas Ranger website. The modern Texas Rangers are an investigative division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, with 150 Rangers authorized by the Texas Legislature posted throughout the state.
Davis told Meza he should serve as a role model and example to his friends. He encouraged Meza to excel in school and make good choices on his path to becoming a Texas lawman.
For information about the Junior Texas Ranger program, visit
www.texasranger.org.