SERVING PAMPA AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES FOR 24 YEARS
Texas Ranger Bill Baten served Pampa and the surrounding eight counties for twenty four years-his entire Ranger career. His dedication to the people of Pampa and his area was unmatched. Raising his family here, Ranger Baten was actively involved in civic organizations, and was known throughout the community as a friend and neighbor.
Baten was born 15 June 1921 in Breckenridge. He grew up in Hall County where he later became Memphis Chief of Police, Deputy Sheriff and then Sheriff after serving in the South Pacific during WWII. During his years as Sheriff of Hall County, Baten lived in the County Jail with his wife and daughters. He became a Texas Ranger in 1962 . His career spanned nearly 40 years in law enforcement.
While he had been an officer for many years and became a Texas Ranger in 1962, he became a Certified Law Enforcement Officer in 1969, the year that all peace officers were required to be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Baten was known to his fellow officers and those under his command for his high moral character, loyalty and leadership capability. He also never forgot the name and face of a criminal. On many a trip to the State prison in Huntsville, Baten would check on someone, especially the young people. He told many a prisoner on the trip to prison, “When you get your act together come see me when you get out”. Several came to visit. One stated, “I’m who I am today because of Bill Baten”
Some called Bill Baten the epitome of the Texas Rangers – courteous, quiet, authoritative. He wore the badge of this elite group of law enforcement officers for 24 years, tenaciously solving crimes of varying degrees in an eight-county area surrounding Pampa, Texas.
THE TOM TELLEPSON AWARD AND TEXAS SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 460
In 1984 Ranger Bates was honored by the Texas State Senate with “Resolution No. 460 which recognized Ranger Baten’s nomination for the Tom Tellepsen Award, the highest honor afforded to Law Officials by the Sheriff’s Association of Texas
The Tom Tellepsen Award is named in honor of the late Tom Tellepsen, a native of Norway, who became a staunch and patriotic American. The Tellepsen Foundation, which was created to honor his lifelong support of law enforcement, provides this award. The Foundation trustees unanimously approved the initial establishment of this award in 1975. The Award consists of a plaque and $2,500 from the Tellepsen family on behalf of the Tellepsen Foundation.
The Tellepsen Award is the highest of tributes to the Sheriff who is selected as its recipient. The selection criterion includes the recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of law enforcement and criminal justice and honors more than ability and performance. The recipient, who must possess these qualities, must additionally have demonstrated the human element that engraves his/her name in the hearts of all the law enforcement community, and a genuine love of the profession.
Baten was known to his fellow officers and those under his command for his high moral character, loyalty and leadership capability
Ranger Baten never forgot the name and face of a criminal. On many a trip to the State prison in Huntsville, Baten would check on someone, especially the young people. He told many a prisoner on the trip to prison, “When you get your act together come see me when you get out”. Several came to visit. One stated, “I’m who I am today because of Bill Baten”. He was not afraid to temper his authority with kindness and courtesy. He obtained a lot of information from people just by being kind. He was also “bull-headed” when he was working a case. Baten would never rest until the case was solved. He was very methodical.
During his life, Baten, as a Freemason, was a member of Memphis Lodge No. 729, Memphis Texas and the Dallas Scottish Rite Consistory. He served his community in his church as well as being a past president of the Pampa Lions Club and Pampa Chamber of Commerce. His life continually depicted the beliefs and values of Masonry. William Preston “Bill” Baten retired from the Texas Rangers in 1986, spending his entire service as a Texas Ranger in Pampa.
On 31 July 1987, Brother Bill Baten passed from this transitory life to his eternal home, that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. He was interred in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Texas with Masonic Honors.
MORE THAN A MAN. A MASON
Texas Ranger Bill Baten gave a lifetime of service to Texas, and most of it to one community. His community knew him as a classic Ranger, tall, stong and a straight shooter. His friends knew him as a man of honor, integrity, and willing to help anyone, anytime. Them members of his Masonic Fraternity knew him simply as Brother.
“The Ranger force had always been full of ancient lawmen who had lied about their age to keep their post, but now the rules conspired with their advancing frailties to goad them into retirement. Charlie Miller in Mason, Jim Nance in Sierra Blanca, Homer Melton in Benjamin, Frank Kemp in Paris, Hollis Sillavan in Columbus, Bill Baten in Pampa, Lewis Rigler in Gainesville—these men had served their country outposts for as long as anyone could remember, and the silence of their passing was like a lonely death on the prairie. They would have successors, but they would not be replaced. “Coming up, I knew that old bunch,” says Alfred Allee, Jr., now retired from the Rangers. “They were just different. Had a sense of honor. Knew how to get the job done. That old bunch—they were Rangers all the time.”
rOBERT dRAPER TEXAS MONTHLY MAGAZINE