Bergen County is in the North East corner of the Garden State. New York is just across the Hudson River. People moved through Interstate 80 from the "Big Apple" to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and points West. On a rare occassion they got into trouble and had the opportunity to meet the fine members of the Bergen County Probation Department.
In the mid seventies Richard Nixon, after leaving office, purchased a hacienda in Saddle River located in this North Jersey county. I am not sure if he knew what a probation officer was or did, but as a pillar of the community, he had no contact with the fine officers from Bergen. That was his loss.
These guys were a good bunch. They could play softball, bowl and drink with the best. They were also very much into enforcement and looking out for John Q Citizen.
By the mid eighties this department had grown and among many needs were new badges for the troops. The Chief ordered a single sunburst style for himself, Assistant Chiefs, and Officers.
H Buchlien, in Newark was the maker, and produced a very fine badge that was gold in color, and had a NJ multi color seal at the center.
These badges stayed in service to 1994. At that time the State Judiciary combined all county departments into one State agency. Shortly thereafter the State issued their own badges to officer across New Jersey.
With the "retirement" of these county badges I can safely display a rank set. They are numbered 1, 2, and 4. Number 3 got away. These badges are in pristine condition. Naturally they are in a nice display case and are hanging on a wall in my den.
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