Marvin "Red" Burton

Marvin "Red" Burton (August 10, 1885 – May 16, 1970) was a Texas Ranger during the 1920s. A native Texan, Burton worked in various positions of law enforcement almost the entirety of his adult career. He is perhaps most well-known for his encounters with the Ku Klux Klan in October 1921. Burton is also remembered for his involvement in busting bootlegging operations during Prohibition, and cleaning up crime in wild towns like Borger, Texas. He spent a brief time pouring concrete for storm drains. In 1914, Burton applied for a job with the Cleveland Construction Company. He did this after determinedly telling his wife, "I'm going to work at somethin'. I don't know what it does, I don't care what it pays. I'm going to work". He was never penniless again. Within three weeks on the job, Burton was promoted to foreman. He began to grow a reputation as a popular leader among his men. This newfound reputation helped Burton when he decided to move jobs in 1917.

As America was entering WWI, Burton decided to take a job as foreman for The Grace Company. The company had been assigned by the United States government to build an airfield at Richfield, a few miles west of Waco. He became instrumental in helping maintain the law of Prohibition in Texas during its thirteen years. Recounting one encounter with a bootlegger Burton said, "the bootlegger started shooting. I returned the fire and they took him away to the Glen Rose funeral home".

Burton's reputation was further boosted in Waco after he tracked down an axe murderer Roy Mitchell in 1923. After testifying for two young men in 1922, who were wrongfully convicted for the rape and murder of a girl, Burton caught the real culprit a year later. He was then responsible for controlling the crowds of 5,000 people who attended one of the last legal hangings in Texas. Burton continued his Ranger career for 11 years.

Post-Texas Rangers Burton's career as a Texas Ranger ended when “Ma” Ferguson disbanded the Rangers after winning election for Governor in 1933. In 1934 he became the chief of detectives for the Waco Police Department. In 1946 he was made chief of police. He served that position for the next four years and retire in 1951.

Burton died at the age of 84 on May 16, 1970, in Marlin, Fall County, Texas. He is buried in Riesel Cemetery, McLennan County, Texas.

Legacy Burton was inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame with its establishment in 1968.