'One riot, one ranger' an apt motto for former Big Country lawman

By Rick Smith San Angelo Standard-Times Wednesday, July 23, 2008 BALLINGER -- The saying "one riot, one ranger" could have been written for his father, Garrett "Mac" McWilliams said. The 83-year-old Hill Country resident, whose friends call him Mac, is the son of West Texas lawman R.E. "Earl" McWilliams. "Dad was a Texas Ranger and a law officer nearly all of his life," Mac said. The Texas Ranger Memorial Cross Program will place a cross with the Ranger circle star badge on Earl McWilliams' grave Aug. 2. Perhaps his father's best -- and worst -- moments as a lawman occurred early in his career in 1925, the year he was elected Runnels County sheriff. That was the year an escaping prisoner threatened McWilliams, who shot the convict in self-defense. The sheriff later said the incident was one of the biggest regrets of his life.... [read full story]