REMEMBERING FRIENDS

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a moment or two to remember friends and famly who have passed on. The above picture is of the "opening" of the N.P.D. Police Academy on 18th Ave. in Newark. It too has gone its way. It still holds many memories, so I thought I would share it here.


My first post remembering was in regard to the loss of a friend who was retired from Newark. Frank Donaghy was a badge collector too. He helped me with my collection, and other collectors as well.

Frank's grand-daughter drew the picture below. It makes a very nice memory. 

A couple of months ago I displayed a "Command Citation" awarded Frank for disarming a terrorist bomb attributed to the Puerto Rican Group known as "FALN." They made the newspapers along the Washington DC- Boston corridor way back in the 1970's. They just weren't called "Terrorists" back then, but they certainly do qualify. Frank told me the story of how He disarmed the pipe bomb. Glad he didn't run.

While I remember Frank, and my Dad, Herman Beyer, Det. NPD, I know there are many more names to note here. 2015 was a very bad year for those who carry a badge. I can only ask for a prayer and offer thanks.

KEN TOLER OFFERS NICE WEB SITE FOR COLLECTORS

I've been doing this "Blog Thing" for eight years now. I do it mostly for myself. I find it a neat way to chronicle the badges I have collected and put them into some sort of context.

As I look at each badge I found that they generated a memory for me. That turns out to be the greatest reason to continue. Some of these memories I share with PC News. You might want to check that paper out and perhaps my column: ""Collecting Memories."

I have also found that there are quite a few collectors out there that check this site on a regular basis. I can't tell you how good I feel when someone writes back to ask a question or two. Some even answer one of my questions.

One of the better calls I received was from some Sheriff in Oklahoma asking for some help identifying an old badge that was found in his County. Sure enough I recognized it in a nano-second. He was thrilled. He kept his badge, but sent me a patch. That's a good deal, and now it is a good memory.

Anyway, one of you recently wrote and, under no duress, acknowledged that he read and enjoyed this blog. Ken Toler, a fellow collector,  also shared his website, which you might find interesting. In turn I share it with you. The address and link are below.

sandiegobadge.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

At the tick of the clock we bring in another year. From here we wish all a great, and safe 2016

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UNITED AIRLINE POLICE

Here is an item that is one Badge that I always have loved. When I got it I hung it, almost immediately, in a prominent location in my home. It was up on the wall so I could hear those distress calls from the wife: "Too Many Stinking Badges - Get Rid of Some."
I've been hearing that Battle Cry for 60 years now, but these Badges are: My hobby, and they don't stink, and they're staying ! They bring me memories and that, of course, is what I really collect.

Back to the badge. The Wife found it in a Church sale. She paid $18. That was a good price back then. She got it for my birthday. That made this Badge way more meaningful.

The Badge was on a card with the notes "United - Newark."  I take that to be United Airlines. They were located in Newark, way before the existence of the "New York and New Jersey Port Authority." That gives some idea of the age of this old badge.

It is a smart looking "Sunburst" design, however there is also an Eagle on top. The words on it are clear: "POLICE - U.A.L."  In the number box is # 53. To top it all off it is in excellent condition, just look at the picture.

I keep this one, certainly under glass, in "my museum" where I talk to it every day. Well, almost every day. I sure did today as its' my birthday again, and I said, "Thank You to my Wife" for buying it for me some forty years ago. Now that's a nice memory and it gives license for the Wife to go to as many Church sales as she wants.

MOUNT UP AND RIDE!

The above picture (copy) was recently obtained. It is Newark Mounted Police leaving their Stable area.

My Dad also rode with the Mounted Squad around 1927. I have his picture on the horse named Ginger. That is it below.

Following a few years on "Mounted" my father moved to the new Newark Radio unit. At the time radio operators had to be licensed, and guess what? Dad had a license.

Over the years collecting badges I came across the unique badge pictured below. It was also from the Stables where Newark kept their Police Horses.  

This is a unique badge, but clearly a Newark item per its' markings and Seal. It may not be a "police" item as the badge is stamped "Dept of Public Works."  I have seen this design used once before by the same City Department.  It is a one of a kind. At least I have not seen another one like it.

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CLASSIC CAR RIDE TO AMERICAN POLICE HALL OF FAME

Oct 3 (rain date Oct 10) is going to be an important day for all Law Enforcement Officers.

To promote a new initiative for wounded officers a Classic Car Show will put on stage by driving their antique cars from the Harley Davidson Store in Sandford, Fl. to the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville.

A Motorcycle Squadron will make sure the Classic Cars don't exceed speed limits  escorting them for the entire ride.

Cars may enter the event for $40 and Motorcycles will pay $25 per rider.

This Show and the wounded Officer endeavor is led by Peter Hernandez,  Founder & President. Peter is an active officer with the Windemere, Fl. Police Dept.

The group may be contacted through there web site shown below:

woundedofficersinitiative.org 

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ORLANDO SHOW 2015

The Labor Day Holiday causes two items to be marked on my calendar every year. First is the Orlando Police Badge and Patch Show. The second is my annual outing to Disneyworld (to please the wife). 

The Police Show is hosted by Doug Sarubbi, Sgt. Orange County Sheriff's Office. You all know who the host is of Disneyworld (My Wife). That's her watching over my Newark Emergency Bureau display.

My Lady covered the two tables that I took at the show, while I roamed the floor looking for items for my collection. She also helps as assistant photographer making sure to get a ton of pictures of my displays.

I got to stand behind the table for a couple of pictures. One was treasures from the Newark Emergency Bureau including pictures of Commanders from 1935-1955. That's me holding an old Delta hand held electric lantern. On the right side of my table was a couple pictures of my father and display cases of his old badges. Some of the pictures date back to 1929 - Father on Horse named Ginger.  

One item that brings back memories for me was the original Command Citation issued to Det. Frank Donaghy. He was a friend and a tremendous collector in his own right. Frank died a couple years back, but I am positive that He would be smiling at his Citation being part of this exhibit. Frank disarmed a bomb left by a terrorist group from Puerto Rico, known as the FALN. I also placed a few old hand restraints on the table, a clacker, a police lantern, and the night stick.

I enjoyed seeing the guys with their exhibits and some items for sale. I managed a couple additions, and turned down a couple too (the wife is checking the finance books so I have to be careful).

By time it came to packing up and heading out Doug was ready to announce winners.

In the category of Best Patch Display the winner was Gerard J. Van Der Ham of Brooksville, Fl. Helping Doug present the awards is John W. Holmes, who always has a nice display himself. In the background two of Gerard's beautiful patch presentations can be viewed.

The next award was for the Best Badge Display. George W Motley (below) was our winner. He collects Virginia badges, but also has a fine collection of US State Capital Badges. 

They save the best for last. It is the award for Best Overall Collection. The winner flanked by Doug and John, is Major Jeff Peeler, who serves in the area around Ocoee Fl (even the wife knows where that is).

Below are a few of Jeff's items that we managed to catch.  Enjoy them.

Congratulations to all winners and to all participants for making the 2016 Show another huge success. 

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