County honors retired Texas Ranger

A retired Texas Ranger was honored during a regular meeting of the Stephens County Commissioners, Monday, Sept. 12. Texas Ranger Lancer Shane Morrow was recognized and a proclamation was signed by Stephens County Judge Michael Roach declaring Monday, Sept. 12, Texas Ranger Shane Morrow Day in the county.

Family members, including Morrow’s wife of 25 years, Lisa, were also in attendance. Morrow retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) on Wednesday, Aug. 31 after over 26 years of service. Roach began by reading from the proclamation honoring Morrow. “(...) Whereas Ranger Morrow has diligently served the citizens of Stephens County in criminal investigations, whereas Ranger Morrow has dedicated his life to the public good, making Texas and Stephens County a safe place to live,” Roach said. “The court encourages all citizens to extend our gratitude to Ranger Morrow for his years of dedicated service (...).”

Morrow was born in DeLeon and served in the United States Army prior to beginning his career with DPS, according to his Texas Ranger biography. Morrow attended the DPS Training Academy in February 1996 as a recruit. After graduation, he was assigned to Highway Patrol as a Trooper in Eastland County, where he served both Eastland and Stephens Counties.

In January 2000, Morrow was promoted to DPS Agent and moved to the Criminal Investigations Unit where he served briefly in Garland, before being transferred to Abilene where his coverage area expanded across 14 counties, including Stephens County and Eastland County.

In 2008, he was promoted to Texas Ranger. Following his promotion, Morrow was sent back to Eastland to serve Eastland, Stephens, and Shackelford Counties. His specializations included Ranger recon, cold case, and unmanned aerial systems pilot.

During his time as a Ranger, he investigated cases involving major violent crimes, public corruption, and officer-involved shootings. Morrow’s investigative skills led to convictions and the incarceration of criminals up to, and including, life sentences, according to a discussion at the Monday, Aug. 22 meeting of the Eastland County Commissioners.

Morrow participated in multiple programs including DPS border security, tactical programs, and crisis negotiations. He spent the last three years of his career with the Cold Case Unit primarily investigating homicides.

After Morrow spoke about his time spent in DPS and as a Ranger, Roach recalled his last day as Justice of the Peace.

“Ranger Morrow may not remember this, but on my last day as a Justice of the Peace (...), we had a case where we had to call you, and you had to come out and help us. It was at the lake out here and we had a suspicious death and you came on scene and told us, ‘stand back boys, the Rangers have made it.’ It was quite the comforting feeling,” Roach recalled. “My brotherin- law, Russ Thomason (was the) District Attorney. He’s retired (from) Eastland, and (he) just sang your praises. Also, our district attorney, Dee Peavy, was supposed to be here today and she had a conflict that came up and wasn’t able to. She said she would send you a personal communication, thanking you for your service and contribution to recent cases here in Stephens County (...).”

Roach said men and women, who uphold the badge and rule of law, make our communities a safer place and thanked Morrow.

“I hope you go to bed every night knowing that your contributions mattered, and as a court in this community, we’re really really grateful for all you’ve done and wish you the best on your retirement,” Roach said.