Texas State Police

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The Texas State Police were formed during the administration of Texas Governor Edmund J. Davis on July 22, 1870 to combat crime statewide in Texas. It was dissolved April 22, 1873.

Among its members were Sherriff Jack Helms of DeWitt County, Texas who served as a Captain. He was killed by John Wesley Hardin during the Sutton-Taylor feud. Another notable member was Leander H. McNelly of the Texas Ranger Division. One outlaw William P. Longley claimed to have killed members of the Texas State Police in 1866-1869-even before it came into existence!

The Texas State Police were abolished in 1873, though many DPS and TABC officers still claim, incorrectly, they retain the title of "State Police" because the Texas Department of Public Safety runs the state of Texas's police force^{[citation needed]}.