Retired Texas Ranger Grover “Frank” Huff is embracing retirement, but he remains a beloved figure in Texas law enforcement circles, as was evident at the recent 12th Annual Ol’ Farts Fish Fry and Firearms Qualification event. Hosted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Liberty County law enforcement firearms qualification range in Cleveland, Texas, the gathering attracted hundreds of current and former Texas DPS personnel who came together to celebrate camaraderie, enjoy a hearty catfish dinner, and keep their firearm skills sharp.
The sound of gunfire from the qualification range didn’t seem to faze the seasoned attendees. They simply continued chatting with each other. When asked why, Huff chuckled, saying, “You never find an old highway patrolman who can hear,” humorously attributing it to years of practice and qualifications on the range.
Having retired just last year as major of Company A of the Texas Rangers (a division of the Texas DPS), Huff’s journey from a machinist to a high-ranking Texas Ranger is filled with twists and hard-won achievements. Growing up in Orange County, Texas, he first pursued a career as a machinist, like his father, who retired from United States Steel. But a downturn in the U.S. economy led to Huff being laid off, eventually nudging him into law enforcement at the encouragement of his brother, Kenny Weaver. Huff’s first role was in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, where he started working in the jail and later became a deputy after attending the law enforcement academy at Lamar University. Though the pay in law enforcement was initially a fraction of his machinist’s wage, Huff discovered his calling.
After four years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Huff joined the Bridge City Police Department for better pay and new opportunities. It was during those early years that he encountered Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who left a lasting impression on him, including Ranger Haskell Taylor, a role model whose dedication inspired Huff to aim for the DPS academy. Following his training, Huff excelled as a state trooper, working his way up to patrol sergeant in San Patricio County. In June 1997, he finally achieved his goal of becoming a Texas Ranger and returned to Liberty County where he previously served four years as a state trooper.
“At that time, a Ranger didn’t get to choose where they wanted to be assigned. They picked for you,” Huff explained.
Fortunately for Huff, Liberty County was close to home, and he took on the role enthusiastically, promising then-Ranger Capt. Earl Pearson that he would remain in the county until retirement. Huff did just that for 16 years before promotions eventually led him to leave Liberty County to serve as lieutenant, then captain, and ultimately, major of Company A.
Reflecting on his career, Huff admitted he misses the “brotherhood” of the Rangers, describing the relationships he built as deep and lasting.
“I feel closer to some of these guys than I do with some of my own family,” he said. “It’s a fraternity, no doubt.”
Huff has kept in touch with the Rangers he mentored and working alongside. Despite stepping away from active duty, Huff is still connected to the organization and closely follows the careers of the 12 Rangers he hired.
Huff also reflected on the challenges that law enforcement faces today, especially the public scrutiny and negative rhetoric from certain movements.
“I believe the overwhelming majority of people in this country are still supportive of law enforcement, but they are not the ones making the noise. It’s mostly the liberal news media,” he shared.
Huff voiced frustration about groups advocating harm against police officers, describing the negative impact this rhetoric has had on morale and safety.
“For every bad thing a policeman does, there are thousands of good things that they do, but you never hear about those things,” he added.
Of the many cases he handled as a Ranger, Huff particularly recalled the high-profile investigation into the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas after the 2008 murder of Scott Allen Freeman in Liberty County. After an intense three-year effort, Huff and fellow law enforcement investigators helped convict 63 members and affiliates of the Aryan Brotherhood, a feat that demonstrated the commitment and tenacity of Texas law enforcement.
“ABT is still huge. They are like cockroaches. You kill one and there are three more taking their place,” Huff said, noting that most people don’t realize the scope of criminal elements in their communities. “I guarantee you if people knew what was living around them, they would be scared to death. There is an ugly underbelly to our society.”
Another unforgettable case for Huff was the murder-for-hire plot involving David Sartin, who attempted to kidnap his mail-order bride from Ukraine and bring her to Chambers County with deadly intentions. Huff called the case “interesting and insane.”
To those aspiring to join the Texas Rangers, Huff’s advice is straightforward: “Character is more important than anything and you must have a good work ethic. If you think you are taking this job as a vacation or a retirement job, it is not that. It is a hard, stressful job.”
Reminding young Rangers of the organization’s history, Huff, when he was an instructor, would write “195,” representing the number of years the Texas Rangers had been in existence.
“I told them if you don’t feel the pressure of the responsibility of holding the reputation and 195 years of history, then you’re in the wrong place,” he said.
Today, the Texas Rangers organization is in its 201st year, continuing the proud legacy as the oldest state law enforcement organization in the country. Huff is honored to have been part of such a storied institution and to have contributed to its legacy.
Photos from this year’s reunion:
