SNOWMAN

This is another story with no badge.

It was 1974 and I was struggling to make ends meet. I was now working in the Probation Departments' Pre-Sentence Investigations Section. We prepared reports for the court, so judges could impose their sentences on those individuals who definitely were not the "pillars of the community." My job gave me quite a bit of time "in the field." I was constantly traveling from one end of the County to the other. That was great for the expense account and paying the bills.

On April 2, 1974 my daughter Cathy was born. She's 29 now. How time flies, especially when you can't count. Sometime after Cathy's birth I "got a tip" that I could find some nice cobble stone to place around the plant bed in front of my house. They would make a nice addition, and were free. I just had to get myself into an isolated area near US 1. Under an overpass was a small embankment containing "my" landscape blocks. The first problem I encountered was they were heavy. I could only move half in one trip. The second problem was NPD showed up.

The Officer, riding alone, wanted my ID, and to know what I was doing. I couldn't make up a good story so I tried the truth. It seems the person who told me about these blocks also told the officer I might be around that location, and to "look out" for me."

The Officer busted my chops real good, then asked, with a huge grin, if I was done. I told him "No." I intended to get the rest of the pile. He, smiled, and said, He'd be back the next day to "watch out for me." One day later I had all "my" blocks, and 34 years later they are still around my old homestead. I remember those blocks, and meeting the "Snowman."

John Snow was assigned to traffic patrol. He routinely covered US 1 near Newark Airport. He used a "CB" radio and talked to the truck drivers. "Snowman" was his "handle." Those two afternoons were the only contacts I had with with this man.

In 1976 I heard his name mentioned on the radio. It was August and Friday the 13th. John was making a delivery of cash to a Bank when he was robbed. Gunfire took his life that day.

I really did not know the man, but I smile every time I think of those blocks. That smile soon fades when I remember Aug. 13 1976.

Newark Police Band

Boom, Boom, Boom Boom Boom.

That's the sounds, I remember, of the big base drum playing in the Newark Police Band. I heard that beat during the late 1940's through the 1950's. The badge above was from that time frame.

Thinking Back, I recall seeing the N.J. National Guard, with Tanks, Jeeps, and Soldiers, parade down Broad Street in Newark, N.J. They were impressive, but somehow the above badge reminds me of the moment when the Newark Police Marching Band approached the reviewing stand in on the steps of City Hall. In front of the Mayor and Council they played "Stars and Stripes Forever," and then they marched away to the cheers of their loyal supporters.

This Band was good, and was frequently invited to participate in parades in neighboring communities. They once did a special performance for veterans at Lyons Hospital up "in the mountains." It was far from the City and my Mom and Dad took me to see it. I also recall this Band in a competition in a N.J. shore community called Asbury Park. In addition to the usual Drum Major there was also the unusual addition of a Drum Majorette. I am not sure where she came from, but the N.P.D. Band really looked exceptional that day.

My Dad was in the Police Band. At one point in time I had a large picture from the 1930's showing the musicians on the steps of City Hall. If I looked hard I could find my father with his clarinet back in the second row.

Another picture I had was from 1954. It showed The Band again on the steps of City Hall. Standing in front were some City official; the Drum Major, his name was Cookie; and my Dad. He was now the Commander of the Newark Police Band.

I donated the pictures to the F.O.P. Museum a few years ago, but not the Badge. That is in my "Newark Collection," hanging on my wall. It is more than a badge. It is a memory.

NEWARK CAPTAINS' BADGE

Somehow we are back to my Newark Collection of badges.

In my last "Post" entitled "My Second Badge" I displayed a badge that is common in New York City. I related it was not my first choice.

The design, in the pictured N.P.D. badge above, was what I wanted. Unfortunately it was a "No can do" item. The "hardware" to create this badge was closely guarded by Newark's' finest.

Over the years I have seen only one other badge like this available for a collector. I obtained this one 30 years ago. It is in excellent condition, and I keep it "locked" under glass in my Newark Collection.

I recall having this item in my pocket just after the acquisition. I had to go to one of those silly department meetings. I remember the subject addressed that day was access to the County Jail and seeing prisoners. The Correction Officers were doing a "rule book slow down" and it had an impact on other agencies. After our meeting the Assistant Chief inquired of me: "How come you don't have a problem over at the lock up?" I shrugged and responded: "I don't know. I just show my ID, and write down the guys name." A shrewd man was my Assistant Chief, and he instructed me to: "Show me your badge." I reached in my pocket and produced this fine N.P.D. shield.

The Asst. Chief smiled from ear to ear. He turned and just walked away shaking his head. He was a good guy, and was a major help to me over the years.

My Second Badge

Leaving the School System in Warren County gave me two opportunities. The First was to continue feeding my family, and the Second was to buy my own badge AGAIN.

Well, with my second "tour of duty" as a probation officer, I had a greater understanding of badges. I knew for sure that the previous badge I had looked most unimpressive. I didn't like looking at it, maybe that's why I gave it away. That first badge was small, and had some silly lion in the center as that was the County Seal. No way was I going to have that same shield.

I knew where to go. H Buchlien & Son. They were a Newark based manufacturer of badges. I had their catalog, and I did a lot of research before deciding to buy a badge that was actually my "second choice." The first choice will be covered in another story. I picked a design used by NYC Police (Captain Rank).

After making my initial choice I quickly learned that this badge was not going to cost $8.00 That was "ok", as it was going to look good in the end. I chose a "multi color seal" which was relatively new in 1971. I chose "blue" lettering which really looked great on the "gold finish." I was paying the bill, and this badge was going to look great.

Other Officers liked it too. Soon they were asking me to get them an identical badge. I complied, and made a small profit on the transaction. I did this for several years until the Chief P.O. learned of my "extra curricular activities." He decided I could handle other work, and assigned me the job of: issuing badges, maintaining a record of each issue, and collecting the badge when an Officer left the department. Ouch! hat killed the small profit.

I liked that badge and I still have it. I display it with other badges I acquired over the years from the now defunct "County Probation Departments." In 1994 those departments became part of the State Court System. In future posts I will show other badges on the "probation wall" in my personal museum.

Badge 14

In an earlier Post I mentioned Bill Mulligan. He was "Chief Probation Officer" for the county. I don't think I ever met him, but my Dad knew him from Newark P.D. After a few calls an interview was set up for me in mid June 1965.

With a little help from Sir William F. Mulligan, a career awaited me. When I went down for my interview I was told to see someone named Ryan. That was it : Just ask for Ryan. I am off to a good start.

I found the "Chief's outer Office," and told the receptionist I was here to see "Mr" Ryan. "Oh." she said, "he just left, but I could catch him." She pointed him out to me heading down the hallway. So off I went calling Mr Ryan. I caught up with him and told him the receptionist told me to see him. No problem, He said: "Follow me 'kid.' " We wound up at his desk and he asked me all sorts of dumb questions. Fifteen minutes later I got to explain: "I am here to see someone named Ryan, for an interview with the Chief."

Mr Ryan, who was not a quiet human being, announced to the world (maybe four other people) that "The front office sent this 'kid' over for an interview." Someone pitched in and concluded I was to see Mrs. Ryan (no relation to Jimmy Ryan). A quick call was made to the front office, my appointment was verified, and off I was again to see "Chief Mulligan."

Another surprise awaited me. When I met the Chief's Secretary, Mrs. Ryan, she explained that Bill Mulligan was not the Chief. He was an Assistant Chief to newly appointed: Lawrence Larsen.

The interview with Mr. Larsen went quite well. I was hired with a starting date of July 1. I asked, on the way out of his office, about picking up my badge and other equipment. That was the first I heard of the expression "budget restrictions." Someone directed me to H. Buchlien and Son's to buy my own badge. It was identical to the one pictured above. It cost $8.00 It had "N.J" on the bottom panel. The bad news is I gave it away. That's another story, and I probably won't tell you about it.

Back to the career. I wasn't sure what I got myself into. The Probation Officer job paid (in 1965) more than a teacher, so I went for the money - $6200 per year. In addition to my salary I got .08 per mile. I was expected to use my "slightly" used Studebaker Lark to do the Court's Business. Thank God for "Peter O." He took me under his wing and trained me well. Regarding expenses he taught me: "The minute your key goes in the ignition, that's one mile." Peter O. was King of the Expense Account. When he became a Chief PO in Iowa, I inherited his "crown."

"Peter O" was very good to me. He told me who was an ex cop in "our" department so I knew who to trust. He told me about his days as an East Orange Cop, where ironically, he was trained by Sam Fricke (my great uncle).

I learned fast! Soon I had a new 1966 Chevy S/S (with the "probation interceptor" economy V-8 engine). It was good on gas. It was great on long trips. That's where I could get the most on .08 per mile. Occasionally I "got lost" (a trick I learned from "Peter O"), which added to the expense account.

By 1969 I found a "better job" with the schools in Warren County. I left under good terms. I started my new job in September. It was a good month. We purchased our first new home in Belvidere, NJ. The following September was also a good month as my daughter Cheryl was born - Sept 4, 1970.

The "better job" wasn't as good as expected. About 6 mos. after Cheryls' birth I left to go back to being a Probation Officer. There was no "initial interview" with Jimmy Ryan this time. It was just a phone call to my last Assistant Chief, and a quick "OK" from: Chief William F. Mulligan. I settled in for the next twenty plus years. Of course I had to buy my own badge again. That was an early seed for my interest in badges and becoming a collector.

In the early 80's I "acquired" Badge number 14. It was last assigned to William F Mulligan who was now retired. Today it is on display in my Den. That badge brings back a lot of good memories.

Maxwell Badgely First NPD Officer to Die in Service

The first Officer to lose his life in the line of duty was Maxwell Badgely.

The first five letters of his name really caught my eye: B A D G E. As a result I just had to investigate his death.

My research reveals that he was transporting prisoners. There were "four bad guys" . They were "cuffed" two by two, and hand to hand. That was not sufficient restraint. One of the bad guys had a knife or other type of pointed weapon on his person. When the opportunity presented itself the "bad guy" fatally stabbed Officer Maxwell Badgely.

This incident occurred October 23, 1854. It was the first death in the line of duty for the Newark Police Dept.

Oldies But Goodies

These two badges I obtained in the mid 1970's They were in a small box of items that, an employee of an old badge manufacturer, thought was junk. Needless to say I made an offer for all of the scraps. I even got a receipt.

Research shows that the badge on the left is from the 1860's to 1885. Some editions of this badge have a number panel affixed to the bottom. Mine doesn't. It is still well worth owning.

The item on the left is a "Special Police" badge that is believed to have been used around the early 1900's. This one brings back memories too. My Dad, in his last assignment as a Newark Detective, worked n the Bureau of Special Assignments. He had the job of "liaison" to the Special Police. That was 1969. That was a good year. My Dad retired, and my daughter Denise was born - June 11.

Through my Dad I met many "Specials". They were always around to give me advice or do a favor. I guess 40 years later I can admit that I really enjoyed a lot of shows at Newark's Symphony Hall. You can speculate on how I got in to see Johnny Cash, Eddie Arnold, Waylon Jennings etc.

Back to the above badges. A quick look one might see the NJ State Seal. That is not the case. Newark had its' "City Seal" on their police badges. In the top center you will see a "hand with a hammer". On the State Seal it is a "horses head." I am very happy to have these items in my Newark Collection. And, by the way, my daughter is soon to be 29.

Pat Olvey, a Collector in Ohio, has a fabulous collection of Newark NJ Badges. He just might send you a picture of his collection. He is a well known collector, and over the years has been a a major contributor to the hobby. His email is: polvey@fuse.net