CITY ADDITIONS: C IS FOR CAMDEN

C is for CAMDEN.

This beauty comes from that beautiful City on the Delaware River. Across the River is another pretty town in Pennsylvania. That would be Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.

Before Camden and Philadelphia were connected, in 1926 by the Ben Franklin Bridge, someone wore badge # 97 pictured above. I have been told it is late 1800's. Old Ben Franklin was long gone. When he lived the fraternal twins ( Philly & Camden) traded farm products, and other materials. The boat was the main means of trading these goods.

In the late 1800's Camden was in the shadow "Philly," and took a back seat to the Pennsylvania metropolis. In New Jersey, Camden also took a back seat to Jersey City, Newark, and Trenton. Back then the bad guys did little to put Camden on the map as they were just ordinary thieves.

The Cop on the beat had a uniform, a gun, a big stick, and better still a big badge. This one is a monster. It is almost 4.00 inches tall. It just reads: "Camden Police - # 97." If the man wearing it yelled: "Police, Stop where you are," the bad guy probably did just that.

After the bridge opened the number of people going through Camden increased year after year. As many as 100,000 people drive over the bridge today. With the influx of this many people entering and staying this City grew - and so did crime. Camden finally got itself on the map.

Back in January 1990 there were frequent reports regarding drug dealers, KKK, and terrorists having shootouts on regular basis. Camden became a war zone.

In a major event the Camden County Prosecutor found himself alone one night facing the bad guys on the streets of the City of Camden. He said, 'he was attacked by hoodlums who wanted to get rid of him because of his tough stands against major crime.' He was after all a famous crime buster.

The druggies were in a Toyota. It was less than an army tank, but reported to have been armed with thugs using machine guns that riddled the Prosecutors' car with bullets..

He did not waver from this attack, but brought the fight to his attackers. He bravely stood, like The Lone Ranger, with his own pistol. He fired back, but without silver bullets. He let the bad guys know that they were in a fight.

During the repeated firing our prosecutor observed one of his bullets hit a bad guy. He said, "It made his head explode." Single handed he saved his own life, and became an instant hero.

After the smoke cleared there was an intense investigation. During the questioning Mr. Prosecutor admitted his story was a Hoax. He surrendered his gun, and his Job. With some help from some people He entered a Mental Hospital.

The real shootings continued in the City of Camden. At one point Camden became the "Murder Capital" of the United States. What an honor.

Present day Camden is a nightmare. The current police have more than their hands full. They deserve at a minimum: A sharp salute, our prayers, and maybe a larger bullet proof badge - like old #97.

CITY ADDITIONS: ATLANTIC CITY

A Is for ATLANTIC CITY.

This is a City Addition that was acquired recently and it fits very nice with the other badges from the well known City by the Atlantic Ocean.

I have three badges from the place made famous by the Steel Pier, and the Little White House. Those Steak Sandwiches were great.

Around 1980 the Casino's came to town and everything, at least everything on the Boardwalk changed. The buildings were, and still are, huge. The theme has been said to be: "Brass, Glass, and Crass." I guess that is still true.

All the years that I spent going to conventions of one kind or another I never really got a biggie from A.C. In fact I never obtained a badge from this City's' P.D. until after moving to sunny Florida. Retirement is good.

In size the above pictured badge is far from a biggie. It is a small badge that appears to be genuine gold plate with blue letters. It reads: "Special Detective, Atlantic City, #22.

I am very pleased to have this badge. I let it remind me of the Boardwalk, and  some Poor Old Horse jumping off a platform, on the Steel Pier,  into the Atlantic Ocean. These are just some GREAT MEMORIES that go with the collection.

NEWARK POLICE CHANCEMAN RADIATOR

I have been trying to get the Real McCoy from the Newark Police Department just a little over forty years. During that time I have obtained a couple of nice items from this fine Jersey community that sits a few miles from New York.

My dad got me started with this collecting thing, only neither of us knew how serious my interest would become. Although I got a couple of badges from him they were just seeds to grow my interest.

I have had the badge at the top for twenty or so years. It has raised letters on it that read "POLICE. On the bottom is the number 1640. That is stamped into the lower panel. I have seen this badge with a more impressive brass panel that has the numbers looking much better.

The only way to really identify this badge (#1640) as a Newark, NJ item is at its' center point. The Seal is that if the City of Newark. It looks almost identical to the NJ State Seal, however the City Seal distinctively has the hand holding a hammer or axe. The State Seal has a Horses Head; Thank God it wasn't the other end.

In the next twenty plus year I did get other items from Newark, but nothing that I really coveted. Then last year I got a reproduction set of all five editions Newark Badges. I usually don't want replica items, but this was different. It was Newark. It was beautiful. It told me where I needed my attention on a daily basis.

This nice set is pictured above lies on a mat covered with black velvet. The badges standout very nicely and have been put on display in this writers Den.

Luck arrived this year and a short time ago the last gem was obtained. It is a Newark Radiator and difficult to find. It only took a lifetime.

This particular "Radiator" is clearly marked with raised letters: "NEWARK POLICE." At the top of the shield is the number C-93. The "C" stands for Chanceman. That was an old title used by officers who were pending final appointment as regular patrolman.

The title CHANCEMAN was used a few of the major City's and I have learned in a few of the suburban areas. The pictured badge is in excellent shape as the picture reveals, although the pin is missing. I'll still keep it.

These items are now properly placed in glass covered displays. They are prominently placed on the wall so I can view them daily and let them get my memories flowing back at least over the last half century. That is a great thing and something that makes retirement good.

COLLECTORS SHOWS TO NOTE

GREATER PHOENIX/MESA BADGE AND PATCH SHOW

On Saturday April 30, 2011 the Phoenix/Mesa Badge and Patch Swap will be held at the beautiful and spacious Mesa campus of the Southwest Ambulance Training Center.
708 West Baseline Road, Mesa.

Admission to the event is free. Show runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00PM

Forty-five tables will be available for traders and displays for $15.00 each. Table reservations are limited to 4 per person and should be made no later than April 15, 2011.


FLORENCE SHOW MAY 14, 2011

Please check your calendars and let Pat Olvey know if you are coming to the May 14th, 2011 Florence Show in Ky.

The exact address for this show is: 8100 EWING BLVD, FLORENCE, KY, 41042, and there is "No Charge for Admission." Show time is 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Check PC News for additional information.

WALKING STICK

Remember the movie "Walking Tall?" The Sheriff was a guy named Buford H. Pusser. He was best known for carrying a "big stick." Bufford made a lot of noise, but still Teddy Roosevelt would be proud of him.

The man served as a Police Officer and Sheriff. He became a one man crusade against crime. During his tour of duty Pusser became a folk hero. He was definitely a macho guy who knew how to use his legendary wooden club.

Armed with his Walking Stick Buford became a legendary salesman for law and order. In 1964 he (at 26) became the youngest person elected Sheriff of McNairy County. He got a fine looking badge with his name on the top panel. With this title he relentlessly attacked the mob in West Tennessee.

The Sheriff's stick was more like a small tree. In the movie he carried it to encourage the wayward to walk a lawful path. For his efforts he was shot eight times. If that wasn't enough to seek early retirement he was stabbed an additional seven times. Guess some people didn't like him. Bullets and knives could not kill this guy.

Like a man on a mission Bufford Pusser just kept coming at the bad guys. Unfortunately he saw his wife (1967) become the victim of an assassin's bullet that was intended for him. Seven years later a car "accident" finally claimed the life of this man. Check out his story at: http://www.sheriffbufordpusser.com

The "walking stick" pictured above is nothing like the one used by Sheriff Pusser in the 1960's. It is smaller. It is older. It is a work of art.

This "Walking Stick" was finely crafted from Irish Bog Wood well over a hundred years ago. Once cut it was shaped and sized to be part of the policeman's accessories.

These Irish Sticks were routinely made for relatives who traveled across the"pond" to find work in the U.S. Many became police officers. Wherever there were a large number Irish on a police force one would always find pieces of "equipment" that was made in Ireland.

The above pictured walking stick is believed to have made its' way to the Newark Police Department in N.J. There it was used by officers with rank. The original owner of this beautiful stick could easily have been a Brennan, a Donaghy, a Lynch, or an O'Neill. They were all part of the old N.P.D.

At first glance one may not think too much of this black piece of wood. Careful examination shows it to be a wonderful antique, and a fine piece of police memorabilia.

The engravings, I am told, have unique meaning. There is a "Shamrock" that seems to still offer luck, and well being. There is also a"Harp" that is finely carved near the handle. One can sense the message it is sending. Regardless of the messages I am sure this "Walking Stick" holds many fine memories, and I am glad to have it in my collection.

CITY ADDITIONS: ABSECON

A is for ABSECON.

In alphabetical order this is the first of my City Additions. It is a relic. I was surprised that the community of Absecon is really a genuine City in Southern NJ. It covers just under six square miles, and some of that is water.

Although this community became a City over 100 years ago it has remained under the radar for the most part. The attention goes to the neighboring community of Atlantic City. The population is around 8000. That might go higher between Memorial Day and Labor day when the "shore season" has the city open for business.

For some (probably political) reason the police force requires a Superintendent. This badge was issued for that tittle many years ago. It is styled after the New York Captains' Badge. This writer likes the design with the five "points" and blue lettering.

Because Absecon is a City, although not a major one, it is included in the collection. It does look nice and inspires me to keep searching for other fine NJ badges to add to my collection.

CITY COLLECTION: W IS FOR WILDWOOD

These stories, and pictures, began getting recognized by me initially in August of 2009. That is five months short of two years. Time goes by fast.

I first wrote about my "A" badge - Asbury Park in August of 2009. At that time I had only twenty one badges in my City Collection. They were from eighteen places that can correctly be called a City. I was quite proud of them.

I took each badge in alphabetical order and did a presentation about it, the community from which it comes, and my little memories. I am now up to the end or "W" for The City Wildwood.

The location is well known as it is a hot spot for Beach activities during the summer. In the winter Wildwood is not quite a ghost town, but certainly there is less traffic.

One summer I took my (then two) kids here. The loved the water and the sand, but the older, my namesake, was afraid of being up high. She wouldn't go near the balcony and had to be carried to the room crying all the way. That thrilling room was on the second floor! Mind you she is a "mountain climber" today, or at least lives near one.

When the weather was hot, and the Atlantic Ocean attracted people, by the thousands, to its' shores, the regular police department hired Specials. These were guys without a regular appointment who needed a job. As good as they were they were not mountain climbers. They liked the Jersey Shore, sea level activities, and the beautiful young ladies that tanned on our beaches.

These officers were issued a "Special" badge, but carried all the responsibilities of the "regulars." The badge pictured above is a relic. It is however, like the ladies on the beach, in great shape.

The badge has a New Jersey State Seal at center, which is the real old style N.J. State Seal. It was plated the same color as the badge, in this case a silver tone finish. The letters are recessed and filled with black enamel. They read: Special, Officer, City of Wildwood, #415.

Since I started documenting my collection many months ago I have had the good fortune to acquire a couple of new badges that have found a home with me. I will cover them in the months ahead. I promise I will start with the letter "A." For now I'll end this article and just reflect on 40 years of collecting these fine badges, and mountain climbing.