TOP COP COLLECTION: PEQUANNOCK POLICE CHIEF #17

TOP COP COLLECTION: 

PEQUANNOCK POLICE CHIEF

*****

My next Badge is this nice looking, Gold and Blue, Shield. It is obsolete, and rare.

PEQUANNOCK TWP is number 17 in my TOP COP COLLECTION.

In order to stay on the job in this Community one must know how to spell it, with out looking at anything; and be able to find it. I frequently visited the area as a kid, so I am sure I would have no trouble finding it today. That's because I know my Geography. Regarding Spelling I was never any good a that. Let's see how I do spelling it, using the Indian Alphabet: Paquettahhnuake. 

How did I do? Looks like I got every letter of the alphabet used, well almost. I'd say, "Right on, that's correct." How say you?

I am sure there might be a couple of "naysayers," so I guess, I wouldn't have a job if it was up to them. Thankfully, there is always, the other side of the story.

My "spelling argument" would be that I only used the original spelling of New Jersey's own Lenni Lenape Indians. They tell me that the word means, something like "cleared land that is fertile and ready for crops." Guess I got my job back.

When I was young my family would often do some swimming and boating in Morris County in the Passaic River, which has the Pompton and Pequannock Rivers as tributaries. Those were fun days. Today this Township is actually one of the better places to live.

Now a closer look at the Badge. It is a multi-part item having a base, four panels, and a State Seal. What is really cool is the reverse Gold Letters on a Blue Field. There is a pin and locking clasp on the rear. It is really classy and I am happy to have it in my collection. I keep it "under glass" and on the wall where it keeps my memories alive. For the record, this Community has an age requirement for its' officers, so, I yield any and all rights, for employment in Pequannock.

TOP COP COLLECTION: PLAINFIELD #16

TOP COP COLLECTION: PLAINFIELD

This is a nice looking Badge that copies the N.Y.P.D.'s "Captain's Shield." Many towns in New Jersey used this design. Even I was issued one when working as a Probation Officer in the 1980's. The design was quite popular.

This particular Badge is from Plainfield, NJ and is in my TOP COP COLLECTION. It is here obviously because it is marked "CHIEF" on the lower panel. 

The area in the center jumps out to catch your eye. That is the New Jersey State Seal, and it is quite old. The blue paint around the actual Seal is rare and very dated - perhaps 1930's. There is also small blue painting inside the ribbon at the top of this badge which is also unique.

This beauty has been with me for over 25 years. Honestly I never thought to much about it until starting the Top Cop Collection.

At first I wasn't sure exactly which "Plainfield" this Badge came from. That's because there are three. Two carry the identifiers of "North" and "South" in their formal name. With that, I have concluded that this Badge is from Union County's "Queen City," for which the City of Plainfield is also known. 

Today this Badge has a home along with other fine Jersey Badges that I have spent 50 years collecting. It stays in a nice Oak Display case with a tempered glass front where I can see it almost every day. I'm proud to have it in my collection.

***

RARE 1900 NEWARK P.D.

There is a working pin with a "C" clasp on the back side. This gives one an idea of the badge's age.

This is a "Believe It or Not" from Newark, NJ!

I am not going to say too much about it because I still am just not quite sure myself. The story goes something like this. In the early 1900's Newark was using the "Radiator Design Badge." That was to end in 1914, when the "new (and current) edition"  was introduced.

With new officer's being hired before the "new" badge was ready, this Badge was ordered as a temporary badge.

As a temporary solution, this badge, was the alleged short term answer. If this is true I have a nice looking antique badge.  It has two panels that are marked: NEWARK, POLICE.

In the center of this badge is a Seal. It is about the size of a quarter. It is, however, the State Seal of N.J. This seal is, for a Newark Officer's Badge, quite unusual!

There is a trademark on the rear of this item. It reads "Whitehead Hoag Co, Newark, NJ."  This company was an Established Badge Maker back in the day, but are they are no longer in business. Did the Newark Police Department really authorize Hoag to make it? If you can add to or clarify the story let me know.

TOP COP COLLECTION: NORWOOD N.J.

TOP COP COLLECTION: 

CHIEF OF POLICE

NORWOOD N.J.

*****

"Norwood!" Where on Earth is Norwood, N.J? This Badge is checking in at number 11 in my Top Cop Display.

I never heard of this Community while living and working in the Garden State. Research showed me exactly where it is. Now I am shocked, as it is located in Bergen County, which was extremely close to my home as well as work.

I should have paid attention to "all" the towns in Bergen County. It turns out that this "Borough" is a real nice place, maybe even a Quaint place to live. Had I been more successful with my job application in Bergen County I just might have moved my family there. Maybe, just maybe, my next door neighbor would have been Don Mattingly. How cool would that have been?

Back to History. The community can trace its roots back to the 1600's. At that time a dozen or so families from the Dutch Republic moved into the area. 

Over the years the land area had several names, settling on Norwood in 1905. Today their are a "tad" under 6000 people living their. They are probably commuters to the Big Apple  just across the Hudson River. 

The Badge at the top of this post is next in my TOP COP COLLECTION. 

It is a beautiful old Badge that is comprised of an Eagle sitting on a Sunburst with a single panel at the top, and a ring surrounding the State Seal. It reads:  CHIEF, POLICE DEPT, NORWOOD, NJ. 

One might think I store this badge with my "Old Jersey Road Maps,"  marking the location of this Borough in Northern N.J. That would be cruel. The home this fine badge has found, is inside my Collection of Chief's Badges. On occasion the entire display has traveled to Shows in the South East.

I am proud to have this item, as I am with all of my "Top Cop's."
 It is a pleasure to look at them, and recall memories of my working days in the Garden State. 

***** 

TOP COP COLLECTION: JERSEY CITY

From one of New Jersey's Largest Cities, This Badge is Number 10 in my Top Cops Collection." It is from JERSEY CITY, N.J..

Along the way of publishing this Collection, this Post lost its correct place on my list. That is the reason this number does not seem right.

Regardless of its' order on my list, this is a Major City. All across the Country people have heard of this place. They often have their commentary about it. Some is Bad, but most is Good.

The  City is County Seat for Hudson County, which, although small in size, is quite large in population. It is also an
important location being on the famous Hudson River separating N.J. from N.Y.C. 

In N.Y. whenever there was a homicide with the body washing up in Jersey City, or other Towns along the River, the well trained Cop knew just how to use his toe to give the corpse a little push so it could float back into New York's jurisdiction. I don't know if that story is true, but I do love telling it.

Let me tell you about this Badge. I have had since I retired some 20 years ago. As you can see just looking at the picture it is OLD. The State Seal, with Blue enamel, gives its' age away. My guess is 1930's making it around 85 years old. 

The main body of the badge is a "Sunburst" with an Eagle on Top. Sitting beneath the Eagle are there Stars which means the holder of this badge is "muy importante."

Circling around the State Seal is a ring with the words : Jersey City, Chief." The are recessed with blue enamel fill. It looks to be in excellent condition and El Jefe would be just as proud of it today as he was 85 years ago. 

I display it in a case with a glass window so I can view it every day. It reminds me of my previous drives to work where, from 15 miles out, I could see The Statue of Liberty just off the shoreline of Jersey City. That provokes many fine memories from my Yesterday's.

OTHER TREASURES TO RECOGNIZE IN MY COLLECTION

In my "Opening for Another Year" I continued to lament about not having a "Newark Star." 

I showed off a single "display box" housing some "Primary Pieces" that I hold. Now, only two weeks latter, I realize that I have a few more "Primary Prizes." These displays have taken a backseat to a few that get the most attention from me. Let me correct that right now.

First  take a look at all those "Hat Badges" that I was using as trim. I have followed through on my promise to make a single  display for these nice Badges. They date back to 1900. I won't show every one, but there is one below that is a very good find. As the picture shows it is in beautiful shape, and it carries Number Two (2). Not bad at all.

2019 THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR ELUSIVE NEWARK STAR

The year 2018 was pretty good, although I still have not obtained the Newark Star that sits on top of this Post.

Below is part of my Newark Collection. These are the primary pieces of the collection. It certainly has grown over the 50 years I have been in the hobby.    It was these Newark Items that were the key to two major trophies in 2018. That made the year fantastic, but my search for a Newark Star continues.

Featured in this display, starting at the bottom, are four old Detective Badges. On top of those badges is an older Newark Sergeant shield. Immediately to the left are Two Badges from the late 1850's that were part of Newark's Second Edition. On the far left is a matching set for the Chanceman's Badge C-93.

Around the perimeter (left, right, top) are eight "Old Newark Ovals." They are, in number order, # 2  to a high # 700. 

I feel good about having these hat badges. I now have a total of eleven! They look nice surrounding my real treasures. I will get them their own display case in 2019. That will be a nice project to do.

If I ever get the "Star" I guess I will have to get an even bigger display case. Maybe it should be displayed alone. Hope I can figure that out in 2019 

Well with your help, I will acquire that Newark Star. While I wait for it, I will keep telling you about the remainder of the collection. So Friends, lets have a great 2019, and to you:

HAPPY NEW YEAR.