By Leonie Fuge
An iconic Queensland Police wide-brimmed hat has made its way from Stanthorpe Police Station to the Texas Rangers in Dallas as part of a reciprocal gift cementing solidarity between the two forces.
The Queensland police hat now sits side by side with a Texas Stetson on Texas Ranger Thomas FitzPatrick’s officers Hat Tree.
After the recent deaths of two Queensland Police in the Chinchilla shootings, Texas Ranger Thomas FitzPatrick sent a morale boosting gift to the Stanthorpe Police in an act of solidarity, and the Stanthorpe Police Station in appreciation have sent a response.
Former Stanthorpe resident Tiziana Zorzi who is now living in Texas presented the gift to Stanthorpe Police in December, along with some signed Texas Ranger memorabilia, and upon her return to Texas presented the Texas Rangers with the items of appreciation on 11 January.
The Stanthorpe gift included the once widely worn wide-brimmed police hat, a police tie and a signed certificate of appreciation.
“Texas Ranger Thomas FitzPatrick was deeply moved by the items given and he placed the Certificate of Appreciation on the bookcase immediately,” Ms Zorzi said.
Ms Zorzi said the Texas Ranger was an avid collector of tie’s from other law enforcement departments and was impressed with his new Queensland Police addition.
Acting Sergeant Shane Gleeson said receiving the Texas Ranger gifts had been a morale boost and hoped the Texas Rangers felt the same.
“The gifts from the Texas Rangers were timely, especially given what happened in Chinchilla,” said the Acting Sergeant.
“The fact some of our Australian gear sits in the Texas Rangers office is a symbol of our connection.”
Deciding what Stanthorpe Station would send was partially inspired by the photos of the Texas Ranger uniform that came framed with a personal letter written by Texas Ranger FitzPatrick.
The Acting Sergeant had been impressed with the ostrich skin embossed boots and double buckled belt and gun holster.
“It’s all pretty flash,” said the Acting Sergeant.
Though Stanthorpe Police didn’t have the same flair with the conservative blue Queensland Police uniform with a cap, the station managed to drum up some items to present to the Texas Rangers nonetheless.
“We joked about sending vegemite but we didn’t want to undermine the relationship,” joked the AS Gleeson.
“We sent over a wide brimmed police hat. It was the closest thing we have to their Stenson. It’s nowhere near as impressive,” said the Acting Sergeant.
“We had to wear wide brimmed hats prior to 2000, then baseball caps came in. The wide brimmed hat was more the country coppers hat and then the peaked cap for city. We can still wear them, and the more sun conscious coppers are wearing them, especially those out west.”
Stanthorpe Police Station also sent a framed Certificate of Appreciation signed by Officer in Charge Gerard Brady.
“The fact that the gifts have meaning to each station shows that we are all connected by the thin blue line,” said AS Gleeson.
The Acting Sergeant mentioned that he was interested in going on a ride-along with the Texas Rangers for a shift, if he was ever that way.
