Texas State Police

The TSP worked primarily against racially based crimes in Texas, and included black policemen.

[citation needed] Among Texas State Police members were Captain Jack Helm of DeWitt County, Texas—later murdered by John Wesley Hardin and Jim Taylor during the Sutton–Taylor feud.

[1] Despite the success of the Texas State Police, the fact that the organization was controlled by Governor Davis and employed African Americans made it very unpopular, especially with former slave owners.

Former policeman Leander H. McNelly and at least 36 other state police members then became officers in the reincarnated Texas Rangers force.

Likewise, two former TSP members were killed as law officers: The Texas State Police was disbanded on April 22, 1873.