The badge is the traditional symbol of the United States law enforcement officer. It is a symbol of trust and honor and must be worn with pride and dedication to duty.
The badge is found in many shapes and styles throughout the country. The five, six, and seven point star has become the traditional badge style of the county sheriff while the shield serves as the most common badge for municipal police officers. Styles of shields differ across the country. In the west, the eagle top shield and the LAPD oval are traditional while in the east the styles of shields vary from simple shields to eagle top and even styles specific to certain states such as sun burst styles. The circle-star badge, most often related to the wild west town marshal, is still in use by the U.S. Marshal Service.
The Silver State National Peace Officers Museum maintains an exceptional collection of antique police badges from throughout the United States and dating back to 1841.
The badge above was worn by an officer in Washington DC in 1861. Could that officer have been one responding to the assassination of our President Abraham Lincoln? It is certainly possible.
Sheriff Stanley Fine served the citizens of Eureka County, Nevada in the 1930s.
This Washoe County Deputy Sheriff badge was worn in 1908. In that day, Reno was a small town, the Virginia & Truckee Railroad still brought people from Reno to Virginia City and people still travelled by horseback.
This Boston Police badge was the first issue for the department, pinned on for the first time in 1854. The museum features many first issue badges.
The badge below was worn by Kensington, California Police Chief Walt Gist. the primary collection of the museum was started by him in 1954. He collected until 2005.
These badges were worn by officers working in cities that became part of New York City in 1898. They are very rare.
This beautiful hand engraved gold badge belonged to the Kingston New York Police Commission.
This sterling silver hand engraved star was worn by a Modoc County, California deputy sheriff in the early days of the 20th Century.
An early badge of the New Bedford, Mass. Police Department.
This hand engraved badge of the Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department was used prior to 1900.
Matt Warner rode with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch.
He also wore this badge as a deputy sheriff.
Harry Sanford was only in his twenties when appointed as chief of police in Kalispell, Montana. He also was credited with putting cops in uniforms, not necessarily a popular move in the day.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER DONATING ITEMS TO THE MUSEUM?
We are constantly seeking additional exhibit material for the museum. Do you have items of law enforcement history that you are interested in donating or loaning to the museum? We are always seeking police badges, sheriff badges, marshal badges, constable badges, police photos, police uniforms, handcuffs, leg irons, night sticks, day sticks, billies, vintage and antique police vehicle equipment, and any other early law enforcement related equipment. Contact us to discuss the idea.
Early badges from the Fallon Police Department, Nevada.
This badge was worn by the Sheriff of Douglas County, Nevada.
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