OLD TRENTON BADGE ADDED TO CITY COLLECTION

The above badge was recently acquired from a collector in Washington DC.

He had a couple of Trenton Badges, as do I. Getting this item enables me to remove one that does not sparkle like this one. Now I have two in the display, and one  for sale or trade.

The addition has the Trenton City Seal in the center. It is a stamped figure of a "horse head" on top of a shield. Around this seal it reads: Trenton City Police.  At the bottom is #53. There is a functioning "C" catch, on the rear, with pin.

It is estimated that this fine badge dates back to late 1800's to early 1900. It didn't take long to do the picture, put it in custody, and lock it up under glass where I can see it everyday.

MUNICIPALS: "M" IS FOR MAPLEWOOD

"M" is for the metropolis of Maplewood, NJ

This community is a Township so it is a proper fit in my Municipal Collection. In sequence this is the 20th distinct community to be included in the display. 

Maplewood was one of those communities I could walk to from my home in the Ivy Hill section of Newark. There are good memories here. They had nice parks, and some had baseball fields that our gang visited often. 

There was a great little park about fifteen minutes from my house. In a pick up game I recall hitting a baseball off the side of a park building in left field. What a shot !  A wicked line drive. I also remember that I only had one such hit like that one, but the thing is I do remember it.

I clearly remember two events, that I was directly involved in as a probation officer, that took place in Maplewood. The problem is,  I can't tell the tale. I will say a Giant of an NFL Linebacker should like me very much; and, in regards to a different event, the local guys in blue should also have a huge smile for me.
 
The badge pictured here is a very nice memory kicker.  It is simply marked with black recessed letters:  Patrolman, Police, Maplewood. The number is 23. The State Seal is plated with the same finish as the full shield, and it was made before the 1970's.  

This badge is definitely a piece of the collection that I am thrilled to possess. I am also very pleased that I can still recall the memories I have of this fine community.

 

COLLIER COUNTY EMERGENCY WORKERS SHOW

 It is not always about badges or my "Old Memories." This post is about an exhibition in Collier County (Fl.) that took place a few days ago. It was sponsored by the local wholesaler "Costco."

When I arrived at the parking lot for the stores "special" evening opening I had lower expectations. My trend of thought was they wanted me in the store with the credit card out. That was not the case.

The area had many exhibits from our local emergency workers. I was impressed to see that the Bomb Squad was on the scene. The used a big truck and a little Robot. I hope his name was not Three Finger Willie.

He was operated by romote control. He would simply to take a blast to the face if necessary in place of a human officer. Even with a robot this is dangerous when deployed in a real life situation. One could not help thinking of the old saying about Bomb Squad Officers: "If you see me running, try to keep up !"

If anything went wrong here,  this was the right place to be. The Crime Scene Officers were there. The had a mobile truck that was loaded with all sorts of goodies. Again I was impressed. I checked it out thoroughly. There were even bones on display, along with photos that were taken at real crime scenes. If medical help was needed it too was there.

Outside the CSI Truck the Sheriff had plenty of cars to do a hot pursuit.Everyone one looked like it was just simonized (if that wax is still used). I was hoping to get a ride. All I wanted was at least one lap around the parking lot, but no dice. This was strictly "look but don't touch." The Car that I really liked is the gull winged sports car. I thought they got it to catch my daughter. She thinks she is Danica Patrick, but that (thankfully) was not the case. It is used with the drug education program - DARE.

In the middle of the parking lot was an area squared off by Sheriff's cars with its lights flashing. I was instantly thinking "landing area" when the helicopter was heard approaching. It came in nice and easy, and landed smoothly. The officers encourage people to sit at the controls and have their picture take. I was satisfied with a picture of the 'copter' from head to tail. In a word - impressive.

The Fire Department and EMS had their trucks present and they too made a great presentation. I particularly enjoyed the 1937 fire truck. It was older then me, and in much better condition. I couldn't get a ride on this one either.

Just up near the door was an exhibit that moved the emotions in every direction. They were selling bricks - red bricks. The purchase of these  bricks will help pay for the construction of the Collier County Freedom Memorial. 

Part of the display, supporting the memorial, was a steel beam from one of our Twin Towers. It churned the emotions, as did the picture of a friend, on a poster commemorating the officers of the NY-NJ Port Authority Police, that died September 11, 2001. 

The bricks to be used in the Freedom Memorial have these words stamped on them: "We shall never forget."  In closing this post I trust that We Remember.

GOOD PICKINGS IN ORLANDO

On September 8th Collectors from all corners of the Country gathered at the Orlando Police Collectors Show in the Rosen Plaza Hotel. The show was sponsored by Doug Sarubbi.

I had a table to show of my City of Newark Collection, and my Major Jersey City's Collection. When I wasn't at the table I left my wife "in charge."  When I got back everything was still there. God I was glad she didn't sell it.

As I roamed the floor I found many treasures. One collector was offering the above gun. It was a thirty-two caliber revolver made by Colt. This was one that Teddy Roosevelt purchased for the New York City P.D. I thought it was a real nice piece and offered at a good price. I thought about it too long as it was sold by the end of the day.

The badge, number 220, from L.A. caught my eye too. It was a prototype that was never made in large numbers, and was not adopted as an official L.A. badge. Still It was a nice looking shield, and I would presume quite valuable. It sure looks great and could very well be the center piece of someones collection.

The "brown" badge is made of leather. It is from Chicago.  The owner explained that the precinct number (#3) was in the center.  This real old badge deserved, and received very special attention from its' owner. It was definitely a "Keeper."

I had my picture taken holding my Newark Display (one of many). In the background is a case holding "City Badges." The "Major Cities" are well covered in this group, along with a couple of minor communities with city status. These are my "Keepers."  Even my wife knows not to even think about selling them.

During my wandering around the convention floor I managed to purchase the "Hats" from Great Britain and Belgium. I also picked up a couple of badges of which this badge from Little Ferry, NJ will fit my "Marshall Badges."  I have a dozen badges in one case. All are old New Jersey Marshall's, a title used in the early 1900's. I'd like to grow this collection so I will always be looking for another "Jersey Marshal."

HEROES BEHIND THE BADGE

At the Orlando Police Collectors Show on Sept. 8, I had the pleasure of meeting Frank Pierce. He is Vice President of   "Heroes Behind the Badge."

His organization is producing a film honoring those who placed their lives on the line doing the "Job." The proceeds of this film will benefit the law enforcement community and National Police Museum in Washington DC.

The link to this site will be added to the "Our Friends" (on the right hand side of the  blog page, and can be found by going to the link which will pop up in the space below:  

 www.heroesbehindthebadge.com 

Give this site a look when you have a chance. It is very well done, and is for an excellent cause.

NEWARK'S FIVE EDITIONS

BEAUTIFUL !!!

The above are pictures of a reproduction set of all five editions of badges from the Newark Police Department.

I have these badges in a nice frame that sits on my desk. I see it every day. They motivate  me to keep looking for the real  sample of each one. I am missing the "Star" and the design with the number 59 on it.

After 40+ years I'll still keep looking, but I have also decided to let you all know I am now accepting donations. Why didn't I think of that a long time ago. I could have retired much sooner.

Hope you like looking at these nice items.

MUNICIPALS: "L" IS FOR LEONIA

As I work through "My" alphabet this is number nineteen in alphabetical sequence.

This "L" is for Leonia. It is part of my Municipal Collection. Leonia is in Bergen County, N.J.  It is incorporated as a "Borough,"  so it is a proper fit for my "Muni's.

The Borough borders Fort Lee, NJ.  Interstate 95 covers a good portion of  Leonia's outer perimeter. State Highways 9, 46, and US 1 also surround the community. That means New York City is only a few minutes away, except during the morning rush hour. Then it takes days to get over the George Washington Bridge.

When it is time to get to work the population of roughly 9000 sees itself drop to near ghost town numbers. There are only a few souls left in the community. The kids are present along with their teachers. Also present is the Leonia P.D.  

The Cops do a good job, keeping this community safe. The town ranks as one of the better places to live as reported in New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

Even though this is a safe place to live it also has a horror tale in its' history. An infamous Shoe Maker, and his thirteen year old son, put Leonia on the map almost forty years ago. The exact date was Jan. 8, 1975.

The serial killer known as "The Shoe Maker," was one Joseph Kallinger. He gained entrance into a home on Glenwood Avenue by pretending to be an insurance salesman. Once in the house he subdued the three occupants, and then waited for other people to return to the house in the quiet neighborhood.

Maria Fasching , age 21, was the final person to come into the house that day. She was a nurse, and stopped in to make a routine check on a neighbor. She found utter horror that day. The young woman didn't cave in to the threats of her captor. She held her ground. She boldly confronted Kallinger. She died for her efforts. 

A surviving witness stated that Miss Fasching, "admonished Kallinger for his aberrant behavior."  He admonished her by cutting her throat. 

One of the people inside the home managed to escape. The police were summoned to the scene. They freed the remaining victims, but could not find or identify "The Shoe Maker."  His killing spree continued. Safe communities were left  a little on edge. 

Kallinger was eventually captured in Pennsylvania. He drew a 40 year sentence for his crimes in that State. While institutionalized the crazy-man repeatedly verbalized a desire to "kill every person on Earth."  As an inmate he somehow got lighter fluid and poured it over himself,  lighting it, and then tried to "fry an egg on his head."  I'll have mine well done !

I am glad this "Shoemaker Story" is not an every day event in Leonia.  I am also very glad to have this old shield from their good community. It is very simple, and traditional. It simply reads: Leonia, and then Police. The number is 17.