Palestine in Anderson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Col. Homer Garrison, Jr.
In 1935, the Texas Legislature created the Department of Public Safety (DPS), combining the Highway Patrol with the Texas Rangers, the state’s oldest law enforcement group. Garrison was the first Assistant Director and developed training for DPS officers. Three years later, Col. Garrison became DPS Director and Chief of the Texas Rangers. Under his leadership, the DPS grew to more than 3,400 employees and major programs developed, including crime control, police training and traffic supervision, driver licensing, vehicle inspection, safety education, and defense and disaster service. In his thirty years as head of the state law enforcement agency, federal and state agencies sought Garrison’s expertise and experience. He also served as head of state defense and disaster relief efforts. Garrison helped secure a headquarters building and museum for the Texas Rangers in Waco. At the groundbreaking, he gave what was to be his last speech, remarking of the Rangers, “They are men who cannot be stampeded;” these words are at the base of the museum’s Texas Ranger statue. Garrison died in 1968. He and his wife Mary Nell (Kilgo) are buried at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.
Erected 2011 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16925.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement.
Location. 31° 45.972′ N, 95° 37.664′ W. Marker is in Palestine, Texas, in Anderson County. Marker is on North Mallard Street (State Highway 19), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 703 North Mallard Street, Palestine TX 75801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Anderson County (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Thomas Mitchell Campbell (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Purvey Lee (P. L.) Chism (about 600 feet away); Anderson County Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Timothy Stephen Smith (about 600 feet away); Seven Oaks (about 600 feet away); Palestine Salt Works C.S.A. (about 700 feet away); Micham Main (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palestine.
Also see . . . Garrison, Homer, Jr. - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on January 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 21, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.