A NEW GUARD FOR MY MUSEUM

Right from the top, I'll state "This isn't Terrific."

I'm calling it "My New Guard." What I have done is place an old Newark Motorcycle Jacket on an old display stand. From there I found an old hat, an unrelated Hat Badge, and a pair of Biden Glasses.

Add all these parts and I have a "guard" to stand a windows' edge looking into my Museum (Den). He does do a good job at collecting comments from visitors. It's fun to actually see some people freeze as if He is real.

The  Coat is a good fifty years old and at one time used by a Newark Motorcycle Officer. The buttons are original and in decent condition. The leather too is in good shape, but the zipper is a little on the tough side to move.

"My Man" has a NPD Badge that most certainly did not come with the Coat. The badge is actually older then the coat, and part of my Collection for over thirty years. 

The head piece is a NJ Officers' Hat, with appropriate State Hat Badge. This one is # 28. I assume it came from a small municipality. It definitely is not from Newark, but fits my Sentry. The glasses were from a shelf where I kept items I didn't want to toss. Looks good, even if that is my opinion only.

He is doing a great job watching over my fifty year old Collection. For that I am Glad to have him.

RIVERSIDE AND THE JERSEY CHIEF'S

This beautiful Riverside, NJ Badge is an example of a picture conveying a thousand words, none the less I'll tell you about what you can't see here.

Riverside is the last "Chief Badge" that I have placed in my "Jersey Chief Collection." In addition to the "Chief's" housed in this single display, I have a handful of others in different display groups. One is in a "Rank Set" from Ft. Lee. The Second, of course, is in my number one favorite collection, Newark, N.J. 

  

 

* * * * *

 

Now back to The Riverside Chief. It's home is a Township located on the banks of the Delaware River. That River is New Jersey's Western border. It also explains the origin of the name the new township took, when created in 1895.  

Riverside is a small township, and has less then two square miles. In that area there is a population of 8000 +/- citizens. 

The Community has a Police Force of roughly twenty men and woman. This department is a pioneer in Community Policing, and has been very successful in  keeping their Citizens safe.

This Badge, obtained from another collector recently, dates back 40-50 years. It is a basic Eagle/Oval with four panels. In the panels are the identifiers: Chief, Police,  Riverside,  NJ. At the center point is a multi-color State Seal. It looks quite nice and keeps this badge looking sharp. Overall it is a fifty year old item. 

* * * * *  

With The Riverside Chief taking its' place with the remainder of my Jersey Chief's Collection, one will see a core of traditional shaped NJ Chief Badges. They are from Leonia,  Jersey City, and Hoboken, NJ.

Reserved for the Top Guy they blend: a Sunburst, an Eagle, and, of course, Stars. The mores "Stars" the greater a badge's significance to its' owner.

Interestingly the badges with Five Stars are the above "Fort Lee, NJ", and the badge shown in the core group from Leonia, NJ.  One would have expected that honor to go to Newark, but the "Police Director" is the "Guy" with five stars in that City. 

The "Core Group" Badges are pictured below.

   

   

 

 

 

 

Of the above three badges, The Jersey City Chief, and Hoboken Chief of Detectives  have "three stars" respectfully. While really not a Department Head, the Hoboken Badge, is deserving of its' spot in this core group. It is quite rare. 

* * * * * 

 

The balance of my Jersey Chief Collection is made up with the following fine pieces of historic treasure. For the most part there are no stars on these badges. There are three exceptions. Two of these exceptions have four stars, and one has two stars. They are displayed in alphabetical order.

FIVE STAR BOSS BADGE - POLICE DIRECTOR

 FIVE STAR BOSS BADGE - POLICE DIRECTOR

BY Dennis Beyer

(Front and rear view of Newark Police Director Badge. Front has "five stars" at the top. The rear view shows the makers mark or Hallmark of Blackington Co).

 

 This was the Top Badge in the N.P.D. years ago. I am not sure it still exists, but I have heard rumors of political changes and "new titles."  So I can only report that in its day this was the "Boss Cop." He had authority over the Police Chief (who had four stars).

People who held this Title did not have to come up from the ranks. Quite a few came from out of the Department. 

Over the years those who have held the job moved on to other "Top Cop" positions. Of recent note is Garry  McCarthy He spent years on the job in New York City before becoming Police Director in Newark in 2006. His "Stars" are linked to Senator Corey Booker, who made McCarthy's initial appointment as Newark Police Director.

Five years later McCarthy became Police Superintendent in Chicago. There he made the news following a shooting incident, and subsequent calls for his resignation. In 2014 he was fired by the Chicago Mayor. 

Other Newark Police Directors have moved on to top jobs in other jurisdictions.  Sheila Coley, became the First Black wWoman to become Boss of three Departments - Newark, East Orange, and Trenton, NJ. Joseph Santiago held positions with other agencies too. The list is interesting.

Looking back, at those who held the Director's Title, is a man I wrote about many posts ago. That would be Dominick Spina. He was tough, but his toughness is not my focus. Luck would probably be a more accurate definition of his attributes.

Spina did his job and did not take any BS. Naturally this made him a target, literally. People hated him and had a major need to remove him from his position. In July of 1968 they went after the man at his home. Spina was seen in his living room, and the shotgun was aimed at him, the trigger pulled, and the target missed. Spina bent over, at the instant of the shotgun blast, to put a leash on his German Shephard named "Nero."

 

(Director Spina, with Nero. Both are smiling only because it was time to take the dog for a walk.)

The Badge, and my good luck to aquire it is the story in this post. It represents the highest "rank" in the N.P.D.  The job has been rewritten and the duties may not be exactly the same, but the symbolism is still there. The Badge is "Boss."  Those five stars deliver a message.

I am most glad to say this Badge is in my Collection, under glass, and hanging on my wall among other memorabila. 

 

THE NEWARK STAR

 THE NEWARK STAR

By  Dennis Beyer

You may recall every year, in January, I would do a post, on my blog,  with a plea for someone to help me, find the ultimate Newark Badge, to add to my collection. 

I have been collecting over fifty years. How many years over fifty is not important. What is important, is that after collecting anything from anywhere, I finally had to downsize. That shift put my focus strictly on anything from New Jersey, especially NEWARK.

I grew up in the City, as did my wife. We graduated the same school - "West Side H.S."  My Dad was a Detective there, and retired, only after a Thirty-Seven year career. He gave me my first few badges fifty years ago, and that sorta got my full collection on its' way. 

As I looked for Newark's "Star," I was able to acquire some beautiful, and rare, badges from the N.P.D.  I got them, but "No Star."  I tried hard, but to no avail. I looked at shows, I sent letters to other collectors, and I searched on- line auctions, including Ebay. No Luck.

Finally, with 50 years invested in the hobby, I had a conversation with Mike Bondarenko (Publisher of PC News). I asked Mike to contact a Collector, who  like me, writes for the Paper.  Mike was my advocate and did a hell of a job. It took a while, but eventually an arrangement was made for me to purchase the above Newark Star. 

The seller and I agreed that terms of the deal would be private; However It is safe to say, "There were two happy people in the Hobby the day of the sale!" So let me be clear, I have a Newark Star.

My Quest, to obtain The Star, has also given me the finest of memories, and those memories are an important part of my Collection.

Pictured below are a few rare Newark Badges that I have had for some time. As of now, they sit as the foundation for the Badge I treasure most.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(These two badges date back to circa 1860. They were the next Edition, after the Star. Both are in good condition. They  show a nice view of the City Seal and number panel with #52 and #1640 respectfully.)

Pictured below are two "sets" of Newark Radiator Badges that preceded the current edition. They were in use circa 1900. 

(The "set" marked #C93 is a very rare piece. It is a "Chanceman' Badge" or probationary officer in today's jargon.)

This is the heart of my hobby. All of these badges are the "Stars" of my collection, but with out a doubt, the Eight Pointed Newark Star, at the top of this post is the ultimate prize.

 

 

 

JAN 30 2021 TITUSVILLE BADGE AND PATCH SHOW

 ALL STATIONS: TAKE NOTE FINAL NOTICE

 

DATE: Saturday January 30, 2021

LOCATION: North Brevard Senior Center, 909 Lane Ave., Titusville, FL

TIME: 9:00 AM Doors Open

HOSTED BY:  Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department

SETUP TIME: 8AM

TABLE COST: Collectors & Traders: $25, 

ADMISSION COST: Free (donations appreciated)

INFORMATION: This is your opportunity to buy-sell or trade law enforcement patches and badges, as well as other Police or Fire memorabilia. Seventy (70) tables are available for $25 each before December 31. After that tables will be $30. Early reservations are recommended because tables are offered on a “first come” basis. Each year the show is a sellout. Please send payment with your reservation. Set-up begins at 8am and the show will run from 9am until 3pm. There is a spirited display contest and awards are presented for the best displays. Reproductions must be marked.  The Senior Center will offer lunch, and there are numerous fast food restaurants. The hotel for the show is the Holiday Inn Titusville/Kennedy Space Center 4715 Helen Hauser Blvd. the rate is $115.00 (plus tax), this rate will be valid January 24-26, 2020 and the cutoff date is January 3, 2020. The phone number is (321) 383-0200 and ask for the Space Coast Patch Show. The hotel includes a hot/cold breakfast. Early reservations are recommended as there is another event in Titusville at the same time.  Titusville is close to Kennedy Space Center and other central Florida attractions. The Police Hall of Fame, which moved from Miami to Titusville, is now open and is a well-done attraction promoting Law Enforcement and has some fabulous patches and other memorabilia on display.  Make table reservations by calling: 321-302-1983 (cell) or e-mail @ csteveb170@gmail.com.Confirm your reservations by mailing table fee to Steve Bridges, 1535 Justin Court, Titusville, FL 32796.

 

NEW YEARS GREETING

HAPPY  2021

 

2021 is here. Best wishes to all.

I trust this will be a good and a healthy year for those of us in the hobby. I have in the past enjoyed going to the various shows in S.E., USA, and hope to do so again. Health is the key, and it is becoming a challenge.

 Our Cataracts have been addressed and road tested, so we are ready. Thank God we had Health Insurance. The wife and I will still be changing who rides "Shotgun"as we travel safely, through the swamp, to get to the Titusville Show in a few days.

 

I hope this is a better year than last. Health and Death literally were to close to home. We hope that you had a better 2020 and an even better 2021

END OF WATCH

 

It has been a several years since one of my friends answered his "last call."  In his memory his grand-daughter drew the picture below. 

 

Since I first posted this "End Of Watch" Recognition Post additional friends and acquaintances have passed on. In their memory I dedicate this page to your memory.

  Miss you guys!