That cute model is not a member of the Newark Police Department. She's my granddaughter, and I made her model this fine baseball cap with the old Newark triangle patch. The hat is now on display next to a picture of my models' great grandfather. He too was with N.P.D.
The hat was recently given to me by a guy named "
Moonie." He is also a collector of Newark memorabilia. The only difference between his collection and mine is, that his takes up an entire room in his home, plus the basement, and the garage. My collection is in a 12 x 18 inch case.
Our relationship started when
Moonie contacted me following a story I wrote regarding the old "Dreamland Roller Skating Arena" on
Freylinghuysen Ave. in Newark. The land where this world class arena once stood eventually became a Senior Citizen Center. With that article I showed a badge that was made for the security officer that once patrolled the grounds.
After reading the story my fellow collector wrote to me. He indicated a concern about his handwriting, but did not hesitate to let me know, from reading the Dreamland story, that he concluded: "It's apparent that I am older than you, as I not only remember it, but spent a lot of time there as a 12 or 13 year old kid." He further let me know that he had the
pleasure of responding as a Newark Police Officer to this location on many occasions.
Mooney, who wore badge number 1588, described himself as "A very big Newark Badge Collector." The man said, "I have every Newark Police badge ever worn from the first to the present." The present issue was introduced in 1914. One can only guess where "number one" hangs today, along with hundreds of other vintage badges.
Despite having
every badge
Moonie admitted he "never seen or heard" of this badge,
and that my story "made (his) day as (he) thought he had seen them all." Of course he expressed an interest in it, if I should ever decide to part with it.
At the time I had no interest in letting this badge out of sight. I did however have an interest in having dialog with this guy from Newark. From that point forward we traded many emails, shared memories, and became friends even though we never met.
The long distance relationship was designed to end right from the beginning as I was quickly invited to see what I consider to be the "Real N.P.D. Collection." It took a little time, but finally I got there on April 10, 2009 - Good Friday.
One of my
daughter collection (I have five) lives in the area. She was
dispatched to make the preliminary visit for me. She joined with
Moony's Lady to set up a meal that, almost made me forget about seeing
The Newark Room.
When we met it was a bear hug hello coupled with some tears here and there. I ultimately was ushered into his garage. It had so many collectibles I wondered if his Harley could really find its' way out. You name it, and it was there. The only thing that moved me away was the call to come eat. Eat we did, and we also talked through a life time of memories.
After the meal I got to see the basement, which like the garage was filled with pictures, posters, badges, patches, and awards. These were items that didn't make it to
The Newark Room.One of the items that caught my eye was a "Voter Registration poster." It was captioned: "Don't let this happen again - Register -Vote." It showed a wounded 12 year old kid laying in a pool of blood, with a shotgun toting Newark Officer moving towards him. A similar picture was on the July 23 1967 cover of Life Magazine. I have that magazine in my den. It is a memory of the investigation I did for the Court regarding this shooting.
Moonie and I both know that these pictures convey the wrong message. Enough said on that point.
We finally made a swift move up the stairs. Actually we were quite slow. That was "OK" as the best Newark Collection was straight ahead. In a word - amazing.
The claim to have the first badge of the current issue was quickly substantiated. The man not only had the badge, but the hat badge, and the retirement badge. They are displayed with uniform buttons, and that wonderful triangle patch. This one display restored my eyesight to a perfect 20/20.
My eagle eyes quickly caught hold of the rest of the room. There were multiple badges from every series ever issued by Newark Police. There were ranks that I did not know existed such as the "
Chanceman", and one for the "Stables." There was even one from
Vailsburg where I grew up, and several more badges that were a huge surprise for me. What a lesson I got on the history of Newark. I couldn't have enjoyed it more.
Filling up every nook and cranny of the room was something, and it wasn't limited to badges. The Newark Room also had an excellent collection of old etched night sticks. They looked like the belonged in a jewelers case. At least they were behind glass.
Mooney also displayed various restraints. Then there were old whistles, hats, police rattles, and several old lanterns. Mixed in were pictures of some old vehicles. One was from the bomb squad. I think if he could have gotten that vehicle it would be in his garage next to his Harley.
One of the displays that caught my eye was of a gray bunny rabbit. It was a large back patch showing the rabbit on a field of yellow. I noticed it because the long eared critter was holding three "R's." Those letters were explained at the bottom of the patch: "Rapid Response to Robbery." I was aware of this unit and instantly recognized the letters, however I did not recognize the bunny rabbit. I was instructed to check out the ears. They were tall and had a couple of squiggly lines on the inside. I learned those marks were not lines, but initials "M.M." They belonged to the officer who designed the patch, and who also worked in the unit.
After I absorbed all that I could regarding "The Three R's," I spotted a group of pictures, news clippings, and awards. As I studied them I learned Mooney took a swim in Newark's
Passaic River. The historic river was pristine when the
Lenai Lenape Indians owned the land in the 1600's. Three hundred years later it was filled with
Dioxix and other chemicals. Some said the river glowed in the dark.
The man's aquatic performance took place on January 19, 1985 when there was a call reporting someone floating under the Clay Street Bridge. The reports indicate it was a bitter cold night, and there was heavy ice in the river. These obstacles didn't deter my friend from jumping in to save someone he never met. Once in the frigid river, he battled the conditions, as well as a frantic victim. Three times he went under before making this a successful rescue, and a lifetime memory.
The Deputy Chief of Police, after reading the reports filed, wrote saying: Your entry into "...the water in subfreezing weather was an unselfish act that resulted in a human life; that would, had you not taken immediate action, would have been lost." The "Medal of Honor" was subsequently awarded. All this was a millennium ago. The memory is still there, and a very proud memory it is.
It started getting late so the visit ended with my last observation. Mooney had the "Dreamland Badge" that I gave him properly displayed under glass, and surrounded by the memories of a life devoted to
his City.
Prior to taking a picture with this writer,
Moonie auctioned off his hair for the St.
Baldrick's Children's Cancer Fund. He was quite pleased that he lost his hair for a good cause, rather then let it be side effect from the disease he is battling.
The proprietor of The Newark Room, is
Detective Frank Donaghy, Newark Police Department, Retired (moonie1588@comcast.net). I am extremely proud to call him my friend.
Dennis Beyer, Naples Fl.
