Wednesday, August 7, 1996

Veteran Ranger Takes Reigns of Elite Law Enforcement Agency

By Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) - A 23-year veteran of the Texas Rangers was named Tuesday to head the elite law enforcement agency.

Bruce Casteel, 54, has served as assistant commander of the Rangers since July 1992. He replaces Maurice Cook who retires at the end of August.

"Bruce Casteel has an excellent reputation and is highly thought of both inside the agency and in law enforcement agencies across the state and in the country," said Mike Cox, a spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, which oversees the 173-year-old Ranger force.

Casteel joined the Rangers in 1973 after working in the DPS for six years.

As senior captain, he will command 105 rangers and 20 non-commissioned employees. He will report to Col. James Wilson, head of the DPS.

"I'm very pleased to receive the position," Casteel said. "As the senior Ranger captain (my job) is to get on with business and manage the Rangers.

"There is a lot to get done. There is a lot of crime that needs to be solved."

Casteel attended high school in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., before serving in the U.S. Army. He attended Central Texas College in Killeen and Southmost College in Brownsville. He also served as a police officer in Killeen and as chief deputy sheriff in Bell County.

The DPS also announced three other high-level appointments Tuesday. They were:

-David McEathron, 44, as chief of the agency's traffic law enforcement division. He replaces George King, who retired.
-Maj. Charles Graham, as assistant chief of traffic law enforcement.
-Capt. Gene Powell, as assistant commander of the Texas Rangers.