END OF WATCH - 2023

 

Another year has come, and gone. It's time to give a Moment or Two to Remember Friends who have passed on. Yet one way or another, they are still with us.

It has been a few years since one of my Badge Collector Friends answered His Last Call. His grand-daughter drew the picture below. I have published it before, and continue to think it is a nice gesture,  so here it is once again

In addition to this Officer, there are Others  who have passed away in 2023. They leave Us, and their FAMILIES Behind. 

They will always be Remembered.  

THE "OLD COUTESY CARD" - ISSUED IN 1945

 By: Dennis Beyer

I just got "My FOP Cards for 2024. That prompted me to reflect on the one pictured above. It was issued in 1945 by the Newark Police Officers'  "Patrolman's Benefit Association (PBA)". That is 79 years ago. The card is in perfect condition and is just a couple years younger then me. I'm in almost perfect condition if anyone cares. 

The card wasn't always in my possession. In fact it was 50+ years of age when I received from a nice Irish Lass that I worked with as a Probation Officer during my days in Newark.

Career changes brought us together in the mid 1990's. Conversation led to talk about my hobby, and that brought the gift of this "Honorary Membership" (PBA) Card. 

I reported years ago about having it in my collection. It is worthy of this repeat presentation. Of course it remains framed and prominently located in my Den.  I am still glad to have it.

COP JOKE

 

An officer observes a woman standing in the middle of the street. He approaches her and asks, “Are you OK?” 

The woman replies, “Yes, but how do I get to the hospital?” 

The officer says, “Just keep standing there.”

ESSEX COUNTY PARK POLICE, RARE #2 SET, PLUS TWO MORE

 By: Dennis Beyer

This a reprint of a post completed several years ago. I heard, but no confirmed, that the Park Police are being re-established. Anyone know? 

Behave in the Park, or the Boys in Blue will get you. 

Essex County, N.J. is a small geographic area, but it has many parks. Branch Brook Park, and Weequahic Park are two well know pieces of real estate located in the City of Newark.

Each year, in Branch Brook Park,  there is an annual Cherry Blossom festival. The park has around 4000 trees. That's a lot, and that is the reason this festival is the largest in the entire U.S.

The design of the park was by Frederick Olmstead. Mr. "O" had some good experience having created Central Park in New York City. He did not however create the muggers that enjoy all of these parks.  

Weequahic Park is on the South side of Newark. It was the centerpiece for what was a very nice neighborhood. It has a lake, and in its 'Hey Day' even had a race track for trotters (that explains the hay).

The County Park Commission established a police force to protect all county parks. The officers' authority was limited pretty much to inside the borders of the county's parkland. On many a day the officer had to drive from one park to another in order to complete his rounds.. 

Things change, and in the 70's the County created the Essex County Police Department. They had jurisdiction now over Roads, County Property, and the Parks. 

You can see how jurisdiction may have had its conflicts within the municipalities, who had their own police forces. There was also a conflict with the County Sheriff's Department. As a result it was possible to have three cars on a scene representing three police departments, all paid by the same taxpayer.

After the new Millennium  this jurisdictional problem went away as the County Police were absorbed into the Sheriff's Department. Now there are only two cars at a crime scene.

This all means you might see some "County Police" badges floating around for collectors. I don't have any. What is pictured is from the original Park Police. They are in great condition and remind me of many stories involving the Parks in Essex County.

They warrant their own display case and are part of my museum (den). Sure I like them, and I am very happy that I can remember some of this history. My father, a Newark Police Officer was awarded a National Life Saving Medal for pulling a man out of the lake in Branch Brook Park. As noted above that is in Newark, but not my father's direct jurisdiction. 

I trust Mr. Olmstead would be pleased with my recollections regarding the history and political yarns reported here. I certainly enjoyed the memories. Also allow me to note today is my fathers birthday. He would have been 120 years old. Enjoy the memories.

LOWER RANKS NPD BADGES FROM 1920'S

 By: Dennis Beyer

The picture above is my Collection of Early Newark Badges. They date roughly to 1920. My Goal is to build a Rank Set. I have been working on this for years and still have a long way to go. 

I have the following Ranks: Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant.

I have assembled them, in an Oak and Glass Case, along with a vintage Newark "Triangle" Patch, a couple of Uniform Buttons, and an Old Blackjack. 

The Badge above is of the correct period as the Sergeants and Lieutenant  shield in this display. The (Patrolman # 316) design is the same as todays' NPD badges, but it also is the same as the shield first issued roughly in 1914. There is no way to determine exactly when this badge was made, but it is an appropriate fit with those pictured in the above display.

The "Detective Shield, #9, is also an appropriate fit with the display. I have accumulated several 1920's Detective Shields and there is no "Blue Ring." That section of the 1920's badge was not given any "paint".  It was all gold finishing. This particular badge appears to have been "updated" by a previous owner by adding the blue paint. If that is not the case then Number 9 would be of post WW II era (and in poor condition vs. just old).

The twin Sergeant Badges pictured below are numbered #20 and #29. The words "Police" and "Newark" are integrated  into the badge, while the rank is stamped into the top panel. Note the difference and its effect on overall wording on these rare shields. They definitely date back to 1920 era.

The Lieutenant Badge #95 is pictured below. It is identical to the above Sergeant badges with the exception of the Rank Panel on top. Those letters are also stamped into the panel with enamel fill.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have these rare historic badges from Newark and in particular the two Sergeant and single Lieutenant Badges. I have them hanging on a wall in my den where they receive their daily inspection from me.

ROYAL FALKLAND ISLANDS POLICE HAT BADGE ADDED TO "BADGES OF THE CROWN"

By: Dennis Beyer

In February of this year  (2023) I visited the Falkland Islands and subsequently posted a story about that visit. I have since communicated with RFIP Chief Barry Thacker,  regarding my visit, as well as related Blog Post and Facebook Comments.

This past month (July 28) I received an "Air Mail" letter post marked June 19, 2023. It took a while to get here, but when it arrived it brought a large smile to my old face. 

Inside the envelope was a fine Memento of the Falkland Islands Police. It is pictured dead center top of this article. I trust everyone can get a good view of it, especially the words "Desire The Right" (located just inside the inner circle on Badge).

The phrase "Desire the Right" is the motto of the Falkland Islands. Its' roots trace, in part, to the name of the ship, the Desire, Captained by the English Explorer Capt. John Davis. 

Davis is credited with discovering the islands in 1592. The rest of the phrase has its roots in the Right political party which took the name Desire Right Party (DRP). With Evolution these words became the recognized motto of the Falkland Islands 

The featured Hat Badge has been placed in an oak display case with a glass front. It will be centered between its' cousins from other UK locations. Take a look at the "Badges of The Crown" display pictured below:

The following pictures are individual photos of the other six UK Badges that I have collected over the years. Check them out:

The above badges are a little larger than the one from Falkland Islands Police,  but they all wear the same Crown. In my display,  Size, as I have learned over the years,  is not as important as Location. That is why this wonderful Badge from my friends in the Falkland Islands stands at Center of this display. I offer my most sincere thanks to the RFIP along with the promise to view it every day. You have made another Great Memory for me. I treasure it.

911 REMEMBERED

 By: Dennis Beyer

Twenty-two years ago The Twin Towers stood in lower Manhattan. I used to see them daily on my way to work looking across the New Jersey landscape towards the Big Apple. The Towers were a Landmark for me before I retired. 

Twenty-two years ago The Towers stood until roughly 9:00 AM. One hour later they were down and just a memory. 

I won forget. I watched in horror as a second plane crashed into the second Tower. I listened to reports about a Plane crashing into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. I heard the reports about passengers on a fourth Plane stormed the cockpit and gave their lives to prevent another tragedy.

Each year I remember, but I have the Badge and Picture, at the top of this post, that reminds me daily of the acts of terrorism that struck America on September 11, 2001. 

A friend, at my request, did the drawing pictured above. It shows the Twin Blue Beams rising into the Sky marking the location of the Towers in NYC. Another friend got the Badge for me appropriately numbered 911.  The Badge lays on a blue ribbon in recognition of those who gave their lives on this tragic day.