Badge 14

In an earlier Post I mentioned Bill Mulligan. He was "Chief Probation Officer" for the county. I don't think I ever met him, but my Dad knew him from Newark P.D. After a few calls an interview was set up for me in mid June 1965.

With a little help from Sir William F. Mulligan, a career awaited me. When I went down for my interview I was told to see someone named Ryan. That was it : Just ask for Ryan. I am off to a good start.

I found the "Chief's outer Office," and told the receptionist I was here to see "Mr" Ryan. "Oh." she said, "he just left, but I could catch him." She pointed him out to me heading down the hallway. So off I went calling Mr Ryan. I caught up with him and told him the receptionist told me to see him. No problem, He said: "Follow me 'kid.' " We wound up at his desk and he asked me all sorts of dumb questions. Fifteen minutes later I got to explain: "I am here to see someone named Ryan, for an interview with the Chief."

Mr Ryan, who was not a quiet human being, announced to the world (maybe four other people) that "The front office sent this 'kid' over for an interview." Someone pitched in and concluded I was to see Mrs. Ryan (no relation to Jimmy Ryan). A quick call was made to the front office, my appointment was verified, and off I was again to see "Chief Mulligan."

Another surprise awaited me. When I met the Chief's Secretary, Mrs. Ryan, she explained that Bill Mulligan was not the Chief. He was an Assistant Chief to newly appointed: Lawrence Larsen.

The interview with Mr. Larsen went quite well. I was hired with a starting date of July 1. I asked, on the way out of his office, about picking up my badge and other equipment. That was the first I heard of the expression "budget restrictions." Someone directed me to H. Buchlien and Son's to buy my own badge. It was identical to the one pictured above. It cost $8.00 It had "N.J" on the bottom panel. The bad news is I gave it away. That's another story, and I probably won't tell you about it.

Back to the career. I wasn't sure what I got myself into. The Probation Officer job paid (in 1965) more than a teacher, so I went for the money - $6200 per year. In addition to my salary I got .08 per mile. I was expected to use my "slightly" used Studebaker Lark to do the Court's Business. Thank God for "Peter O." He took me under his wing and trained me well. Regarding expenses he taught me: "The minute your key goes in the ignition, that's one mile." Peter O. was King of the Expense Account. When he became a Chief PO in Iowa, I inherited his "crown."

"Peter O" was very good to me. He told me who was an ex cop in "our" department so I knew who to trust. He told me about his days as an East Orange Cop, where ironically, he was trained by Sam Fricke (my great uncle).

I learned fast! Soon I had a new 1966 Chevy S/S (with the "probation interceptor" economy V-8 engine). It was good on gas. It was great on long trips. That's where I could get the most on .08 per mile. Occasionally I "got lost" (a trick I learned from "Peter O"), which added to the expense account.

By 1969 I found a "better job" with the schools in Warren County. I left under good terms. I started my new job in September. It was a good month. We purchased our first new home in Belvidere, NJ. The following September was also a good month as my daughter Cheryl was born - Sept 4, 1970.

The "better job" wasn't as good as expected. About 6 mos. after Cheryls' birth I left to go back to being a Probation Officer. There was no "initial interview" with Jimmy Ryan this time. It was just a phone call to my last Assistant Chief, and a quick "OK" from: Chief William F. Mulligan. I settled in for the next twenty plus years. Of course I had to buy my own badge again. That was an early seed for my interest in badges and becoming a collector.

In the early 80's I "acquired" Badge number 14. It was last assigned to William F Mulligan who was now retired. Today it is on display in my Den. That badge brings back a lot of good memories.

Maxwell Badgely First NPD Officer to Die in Service

The first Officer to lose his life in the line of duty was Maxwell Badgely.

The first five letters of his name really caught my eye: B A D G E. As a result I just had to investigate his death.

My research reveals that he was transporting prisoners. There were "four bad guys" . They were "cuffed" two by two, and hand to hand. That was not sufficient restraint. One of the bad guys had a knife or other type of pointed weapon on his person. When the opportunity presented itself the "bad guy" fatally stabbed Officer Maxwell Badgely.

This incident occurred October 23, 1854. It was the first death in the line of duty for the Newark Police Dept.

Oldies But Goodies

These two badges I obtained in the mid 1970's They were in a small box of items that, an employee of an old badge manufacturer, thought was junk. Needless to say I made an offer for all of the scraps. I even got a receipt.

Research shows that the badge on the left is from the 1860's to 1885. Some editions of this badge have a number panel affixed to the bottom. Mine doesn't. It is still well worth owning.

The item on the left is a "Special Police" badge that is believed to have been used around the early 1900's. This one brings back memories too. My Dad, in his last assignment as a Newark Detective, worked n the Bureau of Special Assignments. He had the job of "liaison" to the Special Police. That was 1969. That was a good year. My Dad retired, and my daughter Denise was born - June 11.

Through my Dad I met many "Specials". They were always around to give me advice or do a favor. I guess 40 years later I can admit that I really enjoyed a lot of shows at Newark's Symphony Hall. You can speculate on how I got in to see Johnny Cash, Eddie Arnold, Waylon Jennings etc.

Back to the above badges. A quick look one might see the NJ State Seal. That is not the case. Newark had its' "City Seal" on their police badges. In the top center you will see a "hand with a hammer". On the State Seal it is a "horses head." I am very happy to have these items in my Newark Collection. And, by the way, my daughter is soon to be 29.

Pat Olvey, a Collector in Ohio, has a fabulous collection of Newark NJ Badges. He just might send you a picture of his collection. He is a well known collector, and over the years has been a a major contributor to the hobby. His email is: polvey@fuse.net

Watchman

What's so interesting about a "Watchman" Badge?   I wasn't impressed initially until I did some research on the NPD.

History reveals, and this may be hard to believe, but there was crime in Newark during the evening hours. The citizens needed protection, and  The City Government responded. They hired "Watchmen" circa 1840. During their evening tours of duty Newark's citizen slept in peace. In 1842 they were ordered Blue Uniforms and a star shaped badge. I wish I had one of those early (Newark Star) shields.

In 1847 the Patrolmen and Watchmen were merged into the Newark Police Department. The "Watchmen" title faded away; but 150 years later their are traces of their history.

The "Watchmen" badge pictured above just might be part of the insignia worn by these early Newark lawmen. The badge is hallmarked "Hoag & Co" which was an old Newark manufacturer of badges. It also may have been used in private security.

This item didn't cost much, so I won't go broke for having purchased it. On a positive note it caused me to learn something of the Watchman's history. Perhaps, in another world, the Newark Watchmen are still on patrol. I hope so.

No Badge Here

As I look at my collection of badges a couple of sad memories entered my mind. I'll address one in this post, and the others "down the road.".

I graduated West Side H.S. in 1961. That was the year Roger Maris hit 61, and "The Mick" hit 54. I remember those guys even though I am a Dodger fan. My hero in 1961 was still "The Duke of Flatbush." Los Angeles was now the home of Duke Snider. He was near the end of his baseball career.

Yeah, High School was over in June of 1961. The Summer, for the most part, was the last time a lot of us ever saw each other. We played a lot of baseball up at Ivy Hill Park. When September came it was off to college for me. The future looked bright.

A guy who graduated in my class was a fellow name John Gutenkunst. We lived in different neighborhoods, we had different friends, and we never hung out together. He too had a bright future, and he was just beginning his career with the Newark Police Department.

Four years later I graduated college. It was 1965. I got a job as a Probation Officer in Essex County, partly because my Dad knew Chief Mulligan, but that's another story. Now, four years after graduating high school, I had lost track of just about everyone I knew from "The Burg," "West Side," and "Ivy Hill Park." That included John.

In October I heard John's name again. It was Oct. 16, 1965. He was a Rookie Officer in the police academy. He was looking forward to graduating and getting his badge. It never happened. On that day he had the misfortune of seeing someone hit his car. He approached the guy to question him. The guy had a gun. John was shot and killed.

While I wasn't close to John this event is something I still remember.

DREAMING

How is it possible that the word "Dreamland" is associated with Newark, NJ and my interest in badges?

First of all, you almost have to be a world class spelling champ to properly explain "Dreamland." It has origins going back to the 1920's in the days of dance and jazz. The Weequahic Park section of Newark was its home. The actual address was located at 985 Frelinghusen Ave.

Billed as the "America's Newest and Largest Roller Skating Rink," it opened in Oct. 1941. I am happy to say that was before my time. I may have seen 985 Frelinghuysen Ave, but I never saw Dreamland. I do recall Weequahic Park, its lake, and the Trotter races.

Somewhere after WW II Dreamland became a memory. It was soon followed by the "gray patrol" or the Senior Citizens. I am not sure exactly why needed security officers, but they did and they were issued nice badges.. The one pictured above is around sixty years of age and carries the number - 1. That's special.

Back to The Beginning -1967

1967 was a volatile year. It was 4 years after JFK met an assassins bullet in Dallas. Viet Nam was a "popular" subject across the country. Racial tensions were prevalent in most large urban areas. 

Newark was a dangerous city in July of 1967. There was a spark and the City erupted. Gun fire, was to say the least, not uncommon. Buildings were set on fire. Fireman were shot at by snipers. Buildings were looted. Businesses were destroyed. In the months and years that followed city blocks literally disappeared. For years the area looked like a war zone. Newark today is another story, but not my story. 

My father worked during the riots at HQ, and said he saw action only from a distance. He was posted on the roof of HQ on Franklin St. It was "my shotgun" that he borrowed, while I had the good fortune to be honeymooning in the Bahamas. 

This my father on the left in his N.P.D. Uniform - Badge # 30. He served for 37 years, retiring as a Detective, assigned to HQ.

When I returned to work in the Probation Department a Life Magazine was on my desk. It came with an assignment to Investigate and Report.

I was to investigate this "shooting," pictured on the magazine's cover,  to determine if the "victim" was the same person as the young man on juvenile parole in the State of Alabama. He was one in the same. 

I still have the the magazine and it is pictured here. Strangely the picture on the cover does not convey the fact that there was: "no serious injuries, superficial wound, etc." 

A couple of weeks after the "Riot," My father obtained this retirement badge from an old friend. He later gave it to me. It was the first of a couple badges he gave me. Now, half a century later I proudly display it, along with a couple hundred other fine badges I have collected over the years.