Earl Pearson was born in Fisher County, graduating from the Rotan High School. He also served as a DPS trooper in Scurry County before becoming a Rangers.
Pearson said he came back to Scurry County as a trooper in 1978 and worked here for about two and a half years. His parents still lived in Rotan but has since died. Some property there is still owned by family.
“When I was in El Paso I was just another officer, but the people of Scurry County were very friendly and I had a great working relationship with the people there,” he said.
Pearson was attending to McMurry University in Abilene when a DPS trooper friend encouraged him to join, which he did, graduating from the DPS academy in 1975.
Pearson became a Ranger in 1989, was promoted to lieutenant in 1992 and captain in 1996. He became assistant chief on Sept. 1, 2001 and beat out five field captains to take the top spot on April 22.
“I’m not working on any major changes now, it’s just a period of adjustment,” Pearson said.