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ANDOVER is the second badge in my "TOP COP COLLECTION."
I have had it several years. An uncle gave it to me after moving from Andover to Florida. His home was very close to Police HQ on Lake Iliffe Rd. He moved in the mid 80's and gave it to me at the start of this millennium.
Andover is just like Florida. Farming that is. In the Garden State big red tomatoes were all over the landscape particularly on the farms in Sussex County. It's the same thing here in Florida only the plants are taller and the fruit is Orange. Florida too has more Cows then NJ, if your interested.
The Township has a population around 6000 people living on just under 20,000 square miles. In the old days the area of Andover Twp. was rural. It was picked in the 1930's by a German Nationalist Group to create their headquarters which they called Camp Nordland.
In the camp's HQ, propaganda supporting the Nazi's, was passed along to their members. They existed as a malignancy in an otherwise beautiful area. In 1939 the local Sheriff, Denton Quick, closed the camp for good. That made big news at the time.
Today the Old Barn that was HQ is now part of Township Property, and is watched over by a 12 man full time police force. Today there is no talk about Camp Norland. It has faded from memory. Today's residents are often surprised, when told about the camps existence on their turf.
This particular shield is a product of the 1970's (I think). The multi color seal was introduced to NJ badges in the early 1970's, so that is one indicator of age. The shape is of the one worn by NY Police Captains. It is not a shape that has large use in NJ. Even though I like it. This "CHIEF" is a nice fit for this collection where it becomes the second badge displayed.
