Established in 1901, the Arizona Rangers have protected and served the citizenry for over 107 years. Though the initial organization was short lived, lasting only until 1909, the company--with an authorized strength of just 26 men--became the scourge of outlaws within the Arizona Territory and along the Mexican border where, like today, criminal activity was prevalent. In 1957, the Arizona Rangers were reestablished, and for the 50 years since, these modern rangers have continued the tradition of service that was established by their territorial predecessors. Today's Arizona Rangers are officially recognized by state legislation as a volunteer civilian law enforcement auxiliary. In keeping with their motto, "Few But Proud Then and Now," they assist numerous law enforcement agencies and help keep the peace within their communities and state.

Joe C. Noriega is a freelance writer who has already published one other book. He has many other stories that he has writt en and waiti ng for the right moment to publish them. Currently, he is residing in El Cajon, California, where he is a sharecrop farmer and plants a small vineyard of red grapes and makes red wine. The inspirati on to write this story came from writi ng of two short one-hundred-word stories about the West during the 1800s. He wrote a story about a wagon train master and a sheriff . These two short stories are currently displayed in the Lakeside County Library, Lakeside, California. This is Joe Noriega's second book. The fi rst book is called 03 Why Me? published by Robertson Publishers.

"The Arizona Rangers" is the first documented history of the Rangers ever published, and fills a sizeable void in the annals of Arizona Territory. Bill O'Neal's enthusiasm for his subject and his respect for those remarkable men who wore the five-pointed star are apparent in every word of his thoroughly researched, well written manuscript. He has accurately portrayed the story of the Arizona Rangers against an authentic background of turn-of-the-century Arizona.

It's formed around the fictional character of James Logan Arizona Ranger. He was one of the twelve private's forming the Arizona Rangers in 1901. Facing outlaw's was n big thing for him. after five years in the rangers he was promoted to sergeant and put in charge of the Flagstaff Arizona Ranger Station. At the age of 27 he married Sara MacDonald and they had three children. He served up to the closing of the rangers in 1936 then become the County Sheriff for eight years. The Rangers were reestablished in 1944 however logan was too old to be in the field. The Rangers established an Academy and put Logan on salary as a captain and a instructor. You need to read the book to get the full picture.

Dan Mesa knows men like him are a vanishing breed. Once upon a time, he was a rodeo cowboy. He served in Viet Nam and the first Gulf War. He believes a man should stand up for himself and what he believes in, which is why hes good at teaching high school. In the classroom, Dan expects nothing less than respect, and he will not back down. Just like the time he ran across a bank robbery In his Arizona hometown, Dan witnesses a ranger get shot in the shoulder by one of the robbers fleeing the scene and he immediately runs to the aid of the fallen officer. Who knew just a few steps could change a mans life forever? The Arizona ranger deputizes Dan and tells him to prevent the criminals escape. Having been in combat before, Dan doesnt hesitate, and thirty minutes later, hes a true Wild West hero. Turning in his teaching boots, Dan becomes an official member of the Arizona Rangers, where he can expect action, adventure, and some serious danger. The days of Wyatt Earp may be over, but that doesnt mean all the bad cowboys are gone. Dan is ready to track them down and face them, head-to-head. A teacher becomes a law man, and it only took a couple heroic steps to change the history of the Grand Canyon State forever.

In this historical novel, Billy Old and Jeff Kidder were Arizona Rangers at the turn of the twentieth century and best friends. In 1908, while acting in the line of duty, Kidder was murdered by five crooked Mexican policemen. No charges were filed against his killers. They were quietly skirted away to various locations throughout the county of Sonora, Mexico, a vast, desolate area covering nearly twenty thousand square miles. In 1909, shady politics in the Territory of Arizona brought about the disbanding of the Rangers, leaving many to drift into obscurity and some into degradation. In that same year Billy Old vanished into Sonora to find and kill the men responsible for his friend’s death. He returned close to two years later with that deed accomplished. During Billy’s search of hundreds of sleazy Sonora whorehouses and cantinas he experiences many exciting, humorous, and tragic encounters. There’s a bloody and deadly confrontation with four scalp hunters; a mystical meeting with an old, dying Hopi Indian; an attack by the legendary “Red Ghost” of the southwest; a sorrowful meeting with a past fellow Ranger; cannibal Indians from East Texas; renegade Apaches; flushing toilets; the wonders of ether; Dancing Devils—fifty-foot high swirling dust funnels that can blind an animal; and a whore named Abbie Crutchfield who proves vital to Billy’s quest. And then there’s his horse Orion and a mule named Captain, all a part of a critically changing time in the American Southwest. Includes Historical Background and Readers Guide.