rodc13

They Call Me Ranger Ray:
From the UT Tower Sniper to Corruption in South Texas
by Ramiro “Ray” Martinez


Recently I've had the great honor to meet and visit with Ramiro "Ranger Ray" Martinez and his wife VerNell. He's the officer who took out sniper Charles Whitman atop the Texas University Tower on August 1, 1961. Ray was a member of the Austin PD at the time.

As he recounts the tale, he talks of the role private citizens played in bringing the incident to a close. As events unfolded, quite a few kept up a steady rate of fire with hunting rifles from ground level. Another, Alan Crum, was at his side with a rifle as they made their assault onto the observation deck.

Ray praises the citizens for having the courage to get involved in the episode in which Whitman killed 16 and wounded 31.

I've enjoyed reading Ray's story in his autobiography, "They Call Me Ranger Ray", which he was kind enough to autograph for me. You can find more info on Ray and the book at the Texas Ranger Dispatch website, http://www.texasranger.org/dispatch/...Ranger_Ray.htm.

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Cheers,
Rod
"We're paratroopers. We're supposed to be surrounded!" Dick Winters

hsuCowboy98

The story of "Ranger Ray" is a great one indeed.
I will have to read the book, and get all his other great stories.

Thanks for the Review.

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Fear No Evil.

Nick

Thanks for the review and for posting the website link. I was a teenager when it happened in August, 1966 and do remember seeing the University of Texas sniper story on the news.

It's good to read that Ray Martinez is still around, and that he's written a book. I'll look into getting a copy.

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"To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them."
George Mason


"Gun control is a job-safety program for criminals."
John R. Lott