BADGE COLLECTOR: August 2023

Thursday, August 17, 2023

NJ REFORM SCHOOL, # 4

By: Dennis Beyer

This is quite a unique badge that I have here. It is nearing 100 years of age.

It comes from a Juvenile Facility (JAMESBURG) in the State of New Jersey. It is stamped with the title:

SPL OFFICER, NEW JERSEY REFORM SCHOOL, #4

The face of this old badge is a fully stamped image of the N.J. State Seal. It makes for an impressive display focused at the center point. I like it over the applied Multi Color Seals in use today.

I have had this item almost 50 years now, and I am quite fond of it. I have it in a nice Oak Display case where I still check it out every Day.

ORIGIN OF MY COLLECTION

1967 was the year of the Newark Riots. My Dad was a Newark Detective near the end of his career; and I was just beginning a career as a Probation Officer. Shortly after the riots my Dad gave me a couple of badges he acquired over the years. They sat around in a desk drawer for a couple of years. Eventually I put them on a shelf - never knowing that this was the beginning of my collection. My father died in 1974 leaving me his retirement detective shield. The word "Retired" had been put in the number panel. He didn't like that and knocked it off. He had the original number put back, but this was absolutely "no work of art." None the less I am proud to have it. It stands today "under glass" in my den along with other items from Newark and other NJ communities. I have been "The" Badge Collector ever since (50+ years).

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For information contact author at: denb22@gmail.com