Sierra Vista was an early success after the formation of the modern
Arizona Rangers, in 1957. Our Company was chartered in 1958 - and one of
our current Rangers joined in 1959. No, Captain Van Arsdel has not
served consecutively since 1959, because of employment relocations.
Serving today as our Company Chaplain, John is a steadfast supporter of
the organization.
Another of our Rangers, Colonel Lee Koppel, has served as State
Commander and has been a member since the middle 1970's.
In 1992, Sergeant John Thomas, also
serving as a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. ARMY, was killed in the
line of duty. He was only the third Arizona Ranger to die in the line of
duty, and he was the only modern-day Ranger to give his life in public
service. His partner, Ranger Mark Genz (now a Corporal with the Cochise
County Sheriff's Department,) was able to survive the ambush, wounding
the assailant. The assailant, with a Ranger bullet in his leg was
apprehended, tried and sentenced to 43 years in prison. Sergeant Thomas
died two days after the attack.
Over the previous 43 years, the Sierra Vista Company has been a
credit to the Arizona Rangers. Today, it consists of over 30 Rangers,
with a diverse background. We are growing and have become an integral
part of our community infrastructure, and serve as a primary tool of
local law enforcement.
Sierra
Vista Company
