OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: OCEAN COUNTY

 I wish I could have made the picture a little bit clearer. The Badges themselves certainly are clear and in excellent condition despite their age. I have had them on display for over a quarter of a century.

These Badges show the Ranks of:  Officer & Senior.  That appears on the top panel.

Around the State Seal is a Ring with the words: "Ocean County Probation Dept. The Seal is quite old. I estimate it to be 60-70 years of age. The making of this badge fits within that time frame.

I am pleased to have this in the Collection I have of County Probation Badges. If you have one that you would be willing to sell or trade contact me at: 

  jerseychief@gmail.com

NEWARK & JERSEY CITY RESPOND TO LINDBERGH KIDNAPPING

This Post is, not about a Badge, but about one of the most famous Investigations in US, and in particular, New Jersey History. I am showing two news clippings kept by Newark Detective Morris Kirwan, as memento of his work on the Lindbergh Kidnapping in 1932. Today is the anniversary of that crime.

I have read a fair amount about this case and was surprised about several things. Allow me to share some of that history: There were at least a dozen Ransom Notes, The Demand was for $50,000, The Ransom was Paid, but the Lindbergh baby was still murdered.

The ransom money was paid in "gold notes" no longer the currency of the day, having been pulled from service by F.D.R when he took the US off the gold standard.

It was a year or so, after the paying of the ransom, that one of these "gold notes" surfaced at a Gas Station in NY. The Station Attendant wrote the license plate number of the car driven by the man with the "gold note." That eventually led to Bruno Hauptman. He was Arrested, Convicted, and Executed for the crime.

The kidnaping took place in rural Hopewell NJ. What I found very interesting was that there was no local Police Department in Hopewell. The case went to the ten year old New Jersey State Police under command of H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Knowing his staff did not have the experience to handle a major case like this Schwarzkopf enlisted assistance from the Newark and Jersey City Police Departments. This kept Jurisdiction over this Investigation in the State of NJ (with the FBI just waiting to get involved).

The news clippings show Schwarzkopf, and the Chief's of police from Newark and Jersey City. The second clipping shows the names of of Newark Detectives assigned to assist with the investigation. The names were written by Newark Detective Kirwan.

Thank you for allowing me to share some History. And for my Badge Collector friends the last picture in my Post is of a Newark Detective Badge from the 1930's. It is 90 years of age and still in great condition.

UNION TOWNSHIP, NJ - RANK SET FROM 1950'S

Below is a near "Rank Set" from Union Township, N.J. The "Chief's Badge" is missing. Anyone have it?  I'm willing to buy it.

One of the reasons I collected these badges is I grew up very close to this Town. During my younger years I bowled at the Four Seasons Bowling Alley on Rt 22 & Chestnut St. That name might ring a bell as it is the name taken by the "Four Lovers"  when renaming their singing group.

These badges are from the 1950's and all are of the same shape with the exception of the Detective Badge # 682. It is from late 70'to early 1980's. It was not popular with the officers and was replaced with the current NY Style Detective Shield. Note the NJ State Seal just under the Eagle. It's smaller then a dime and looks like it was an after thought.

 

The "Detective # 6" is part of the 1950 Set. It is the same shape and is in good condition. Note NJ State Seal at center point. I like this much better then the previous one above.

Only ten "Captain Badges" were made. On the rear of this shield are the number 1/10 so I conclude that this is # 1. I have placed a picture of the Rear of this badge. You will have to enlarge it to see the various markings. The maker is "Bessinger" of Newark, NJ and that name is just above the top of the Pin and to the left. The numbering 1/10, is just below top of pin,  and to the Right

The Lieutenant Badge looks its age. I'd say it is in fair to satisfactory condition. Actually the Blue lettering is still in very good condition. On the Rear of this badge is the makers name: H Buchlein.

The next Badge is the Sergeant's shield. It is in good condition, but has minimal wear on lettering. The rear of this Badge shows that it too was made by: H Buchlein. This is either newer or had the Seal replaced with a multi color State seal from the late 60's.

The picture below is a Patrolman Badge and it too is from the 1950's. It carries the #5 in number box and seems to be a replacement for original. There is no makers marl on this item.

The last picture in this post is of the 50's "Special Police". The badge is of the same shape as the others, but has a "silver tone finish" that is in great shape. The badge is numbered # 548."

OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: MORRIS

The above Badge is from Morris County. I have it in my Collection of Pre State Take Over of The 21 County Probation Departments. It has been in my Collection for just about 30 years.

The Badge is made of several "parts" or panels. They contain the words: Probation,  Officer,  Morris Cty,  NJ.  These letters are black fill enamel and have some wear. The Gold Tone plating is still in good condition.

My understanding is that this Badge was an unauthorized private purchase. I show it with the other counties represented in my collection because it looks good. I also have a Rank Set of genuine County Probation Officer Badges that I am not able to upload at this time. Look for them down the road. 

AMERICAN POLICE HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

A few months back the wife and I had the occasion to visit Cocoa Beach, Fl.  We had a week at a nice hotel directly on the beach looking at the Atlantic Ocean, the Sun, and the Sand. One day there was no Sun or Sand to enjoy so we took a little ride to the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum. It was years since our last visit and gave us another nice day despite the weather. The building above is the museum pictured from the parking lot.

One of the first displays that you see after paying your ticket (yes there is a law enforcement discount) is a series of old Police Cars. This Black & White is a 1956 Ford in mint condition.

This is a 9-11 display. The twin towers list the names of fallen officers. At the base are remnants of rubble from the two buildings, concrete, rebar, and a piece of the airplane that crashed into the buildings's side.

 

The colorful circle at the base contains the patches from New York City Police, The NY-NJ Port Authority Police and the NYC Fire Dept. 

Below is a close up of several names of officers who perished that day. One name was a friend.

This display is simple, but an extremely emotional reminder of the terror attack on our Country on September 11, 2001.

*****

I am not sure if this was Lady Liberty, but I did like that she was holding the Red, White & Blue. That lifted my spirits.

*****

There are many fire arms displayed in the museum. This reminded me of one that I used to own so naturally I had to take this picture.

Over on the right is a reconstructed jail cell for two tenants.

Underneath is a Bad Dude (me) getting his new Prison attire. I decided to keep my Florida shirt and move on.

                                       *****                                            In another section of the Museum there are historical pieces of the means of Execution.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Above is an Electric Chair. You can sit in it for a picture. It's safe as it is not plugged in. I chose not to sit.

The picture to the right is the 

GUILLOTINE.

It is a quite quick and efficient method of carrying out an execution. The blade is sharp and weighted to complete the job in a single movement. Note the basket used to catch the fallen head.

The picture, to the left and below are methods of Restraining Prisoners.

To the left is  a Chair with Wheels. The prisoner was secured to this device and then wheeled to wherever he was needed.

The Stocks is the subject of the picture below. There are no wheels on this device as the prisoner was not intended to go anywhere. He just stood with his/her head and hands in the appropriate holes and locked in place.

*****

The next two pictures here show a blend of old technology and newer tech.

The yellow machine is a robotic bomb defuser operated by the officer, in the heavy outfit, to the rear. If you see him run then you better run too.

The thing below is a lantern used by police officers, and others back in the day. It is the forerunner of the "flashlight."  The models that followed the pictured item had a retractable cover over the lens. A squeeze of a handle control opened the cover and allowed light to flash out - hence flashlight.

*****

The visit here was a nice diversion from the (absent) Florida Sun. I enjoyed it and worked up a good appetite for some cold shrimp and beer. You got to try it.

NEWARK PD - WALLET BADGE

Shown here is another "Unique Badge" that I have. It clearly reads: NEWARK POLICE # 1320. The problem is this item is not correct. It was not issued by the N.P.D.

Even though the shape is (90%) OK, and the Seal is perfectly stamped this is believed to be an Officer's "2nd or wallet badge." It was probably made by Buchlien & Sons at the request of the Officer.

Two areas that stand out, at least to my eyes are: The State Seal. On a Newark Badge there is no Seal. A distinctive Eagle Stands above the Number Box. That Eagle is iconic (my opinion) on Newark Badges.

The Number Box is the next tell that there is somethin wrong with this Badge. While it looks just like the number box used on many NJ Badges it is not the same on a true Newark item. The N.P.D. trims (if that is the right word) their number boxes with Pillars.

My pictured Badge is displayed, but at a distance from the true Newark PD Officer Badge. I like it, but only a little bit. You just can't beat the real thing !

OBSOLETE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENTS: MONMOUTH

 

Happy New Year. I am continuing the monthly post regarding my collection of Defunct New Jersey Probation Badges. There are 21 counties in the Garden State and I have been trying for well over 30 years to obtain at least one badge for each county.

To start 2026 I will display badges from Monmouth County and the full collection in this post.

Starting at the top you will see two giant, silver tone badges with an Eagle on top. They both have recessed, with enamel fill, letters that read: PROBATION, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ. In the center is a multi color seal which was introduced in the late 1960's.

These Badges were gifted to me shortly after the State took over all County Departments and created a single agency. They have been in my collection roughly 28 years.

In addition the last picture above shows all the Probation Officer Badges in my Collection. I still need a few, but I am quite happy with the total to date. All of these badges are in Oak display cases and have a prominent place in my office. I'm very happy to have them. 

I collect N.J."County" Probation Officer Badges, so if you have one that you would like to move on please contact me:       jerseychief@gmail.com