Wakeman named first female Texas Ranger major

Texas Department of Public Safety has promoted Texas Ranger Captain Wende O. Wakeman to the rank of major, making the Ranger the first female Ranger major in the organization’s 200-year history.

Wakeman began her career with Texas DPS in 1998, serving as a highway patrol trooper in Sulphur Springs and New Caney until her 2003 promotion to narcotics sergeant. She joined the Texas Rangers in 2008. Five years later, in 2014, Wakeman became the first female Ranger lieutenant in DPS history. In 2020, Wakeman was promoted to captain and served at the Texas Ranger headquarters in Austin. There, she oversaw the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), which provides funding to assist with the collection of offender DNA and the investigation and prosecution of cold sexually- related homicides and sexual assault cases.

Wakeman is a graduate of the National Forensics Academy, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute and the DPS Command College. She is a TCOLE Instructor and has provided instruction to DPS recruits and Texas Rangers in the fields of Case Management and Crime Scene Investigation. Wakeman has also completed the FBI Leadership Trilogy, and the LEMIT – Leadership Inventory for Female Executives (L.I.F.E.) course and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University.

“It is an unbelievable honor to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of this great state and to lead my fellow Texas Rangers in this capacity,” said Major Wakeman. “This moment in Ranger history is only possible because of the dedication and the sacrifice of so many that have come before, along with the incredible strides made by this organization over the years. I will strive to do my very best to represent the men and women of this department every day.”

“Major Wende Wakeman’s years of hard work, her tremendous strength of character and her unwavering determination have all led her to this moment,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “I cannot think of someone more deserving, nor can I think of a better role model for so many to be able to follow as she continues to pave the way.”

The Texas Rangers specialize in investigating major crime incidents (such as murders, sexual assaults and kidnappings), unsolved and serial crimes, public corruption, crimes against children, officer-involved shootings and border security operations.

The Rangers also oversee specialized law enforcement teams within DPS, including the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Special Response Teams, Ranger Reconnaissance Team, Crisis Negotiations Unit and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit. They are at the top of the law enforcement pyramid in Texas and have a rich history, holding the title of the oldest law enforcement group in the country In 2023, the Texas Rangers celebrate 200 years of service.

More information about the Texas Rangers is available on the DPS website at www.dps.texas.gov/section/ texas-rangers.