Friday, May 10, 2024
Coryell County resident John Aycock was recently inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame who recognized and honored his commendable service over the years.
The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame inducts and commemorates Rangers whose service has been uniquely commendable amongst their peers. According to the Hall of Fame, to date, only 31 Rangers, out of thousands who have served over the past 200 years, have been inducted.
During the 42nd Annual Texas Ranger Reunion, which recognized the Texas Ranger Bicentennial year, Aycock joined the ranks of those extraordinary Rangers who had been honored in the past.
Aycock’s induction was kept a secret from him.
“They were having a reunion in Waco, and I generally go to the fish fry, but not always. So, I was invited to come, but didn’t know why,” he said. “I kind of got bribed and I went.”
At the fish fry, Aycock was listening to the speakers and finally realized they were talking about him. Aycock was “totally shocked” when he found out he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“I didn’t have a clue on this earth, not any. I think that was the best kept secret they had in the DPS,” he said.
Sgt. Aycock was joined by Sgt. John Martin in the induction ceremony - both being the only two living inductees.
Following his service in Vietnam, Aycock joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a highway patrolman in 1968. A few years later, in 1973, he transferred to the DPS Narcotics Squad and was later promoted to Narcotics Squad Supervisor in 1979.
When the Ranger job became available, Aycock applied for it.
“There were three of us on the list and all three of us made it,” he said. “When I made Ranger, my station was Bell and Coryell counties.”
Aycock received a Medal of Valor in 1987 in recognition of the “gallant and courageous manner in which he effected the rescue of a kidnapped child.” In 1995, Aycock received another Medal of Valor for “valorous performance and extraordinary skill” he exhibited during a hostage situation.
Aycock retired in 2001 after a 33-year career with the TX DPS including 18 years as a Texas Ranger.
“I’m proud of all of it. I’m really proud of the people I was able to work with,” he said. “If you’ve got people to work with and cases to work on, you don’t really need anything else but God, but you’ve got to have Him. If I hadn’t had Him, there were a lot of times I wouldn’t have come home. Lots of times.”
Concerning his retirement, Aycock said, “I’ve gone back to farming and ranching (in Coryell County) just like I did when I was a boy.”
Aycock was recently honored at the 86th annual Gatesville Riding Club Rodeo. He was brought into the arena in a horse drawn buggy to the sound of cheering crowds and applause.
