TOP COP COLLECTION: WATCHUNG BOROUGH

TOP  COP  COLLECTION: 

WATCHUNG BOROUGH

POLICE DEPT.

*****

It is only fitting that this next badge in my collection also comes from a sleepy dot on the map of New Jersey. The community is WATCHUNG Borough, and like Somerville in my last "post", it too is located in Somerset County. It is the 21st badge in my Top Cop Collection. 

For thirty years I lived in a nearby community. I think I was pretty close to the subject community as my address was on "Watchung Ave. It was just on the other side of the Mountain, in Morris County. 

Either County is a nice place to call home. Many people live here,  while working in New York City. That commute takes 25 minutes. The commute to Newark, N.J. is only 10 minutes. Several members of the Newark Police Dept. called Watchung their home or affectionately "22 - West."  The numbers refereed to the highway, U.S. 22 , which ran along the side of this attractive mountain landscape.

Back "In the Day" you could see the World from the Top of  the Watchung Mountains. Of course these Peaks were known by a different name, when the land was owned by the Lenape Indians. They called the place "Wach Unks." That translates, for those of you who are not fluent with Indian language, to High Hills. The actual elevation is around 800 feet.

In the 1950's Robert Brown Thomson introduced himself to Sporting Fame, and also to Watchung, N.J, which he called home from 1958 to 2006. Playing Major League Baseball he was recognized by his peers, as The "Flying Scott." An Outfielder He did have over 1000 runs batted in during his career, and also hit 276 home runs. In a 30 second slice of time, He found, with one swing of the bat, his taste of baseball immortality.  On Oct. 3, 1951 Bobby Thomson hit "the shot heard around the world" giving the National League Pennant to the NY Giants. 

This bit of Sports History is talked about even today as one of the greatest moments in Baseball. I remember it as a young boy. I remember it today as I view this very beautiful badge from Mr Thomson's home town. The primary badge is chrome plated with four gold tone panels. These panels carry blue enamel lettering with the words: CHIEF,  WATCHUNG,  POLICE.  In the center of the badge is the New Jersey State Seal.

This Badge, with its' twenty predecessors, is mounted in an Oak and Glass Display Case. I see it pretty near everyday. As a group these badges bring back various memories that I have from living and working in New Jersey.

PUBLIC SAFETY SITE

I am always reading and researching sources about the Newark Police Department. Today my daughter found a terrific site for enjoying the memories of the N.P.D.  

The picture gallery is worth looking at even if your collecting interest is not Newark. I checked every page looking for a picture of my Dad. I had no luck, but I did when I searched the "Memorials."

Here is the link.

https://npd.newarkpublicsafety.org/about/history

Another link that one might find useful is below. It contains a brief history of the Newark Police Force.  Give both of these site your attention.

https://npd.newarkpublicsafety.org/media/historygallery 

IF THE LINK DOESN'T WORK CUT AND PASTE IT INTO BROWSER

ORLANDO SHOW

                                     

TOP COP COLLECTION:: SOMERVILLE, N.J

TOP COP COLLECTION: 

CHIEF OF POLICE, SOMERVILLE, N.J.

SOMERVILLE is the next badge in my Top Cop Collection. It is the twentieth (20th) Chief's Badge in this display.

To a lot of people this Town is just a sleepy dot on the map. In reality Somerville is far more then a dot on a map. It serves as the County Seat of Somerset County, N.J.  That's where the Court House is located.  It was there where the "Trial of The  Century" took place.

The incident that started this little walk through history took place in Somerset (Franklin Twp.) N.J. It was on September 16, 1922 when the bodies of Rev. Edward Hall, and Choir Singer, Eleanor Mills were found. They were lovers. They had been shot, him once, her three times.

Police from New Brunswick, N.J. were first to respond only to find they were out of there jurisdiction. Franklin Twp. Police picked up the Case. They found the area around the bodies trampled by the curious. Evidence was removed by those looking for a souvenir. 

The Media took control of the case selling news all across the country.  Looking back, "The case struck a chord, " stated Thomas Miller, Judge Superior Court in an October 2014 article in "My Central Jersey." Miller' s Office  maintains an Exhibit, holding artifacts from the Murder Case, that made Somerville,
"...the Center of the Universe," back in 1926. 


After Two Investigations three people went to Trial at the County Courthouse in Somerville. A fourth was to be tried separately, while  the wife was never indicted.  On November 3, 1926 the trial began. It ended thirty days later after three Jury Votes,  10-2, 11-1,  and then with all 12 in agreement - Not Guilty. 

Following the trial Somerville returned to its  sleepy  nature. Decades passed before someone wore the badge featured in this Post. I estimate it to be 1960 vintage.  When I look at it, it reminds me of some important History that I missed during my career. But owning it has given me a second chance to dig up some old historical facts. Maybe you and I could look for the murderer, as the Case is still open.

The Badge, as pictured, has a Gold-Silver, Wreathed Oval shape. At the top is an Eagle Head, with just below, but at Center Point,  a multi color State Seal. This type of seal did not come into use until the early 1960's.

The  silver-tone panels on this badge, are recessed with black enamel fill.  They read: CHIEF, SOMERVILLE, POLICE, N.J.  It sits in nice display made of oak and glass. I have the pleasure of viewing it every day, and being reminded of an important piece of Jersey History.

*****

THE OLD "NEWARK POLICE AND FIRE MARCHING BAND" - RARE BADGE SET

The top picture above is of a Badge I obtained recently at a Show in Orlando (2018). I made several purchases that day including this treasure.

Take a close look in the Blue Ring that circles the inside of the Badge. It reads: "Fire Band, Newark, New Jersey." It is gold plated and is just beautiful.

The second Badge pictured is almost identical. Inside its' Blue Ring are the words: "Police Band, Newark, N.J." One word is all that is different with these fine pieces of Newark Police History. 

As I recall it was the "Newark Police and Fire Band." My Father, Det. Herman Beyer, was the Last Commander of this Band. He served until budget cuts killed off a wonderful marching band. Most of the members of the Band were from the Police Dept.

Band Members wore a Badge, with the words Police or Fire in the Blue Ring, depending on their particular Department. Since The Police Members out numbered The Fire Members, there were fewer "FIRE BAND" Badges made. Thus this "Fire Badge" is a rare find indeed. My long range plan is to display both of these Badges together. Right now I have the Police version in a sealed display.

The third item pictured here is a photo of the Band in the late 1930's. My Father, Herman W Beyer, is the first officer in the second row. Closing in on 100 years soon.

I had another picture of the Band standing on the steps of City Hall. It was from 1954. I donated it to the Newark FOP Museum close to 20 years ago. Now I wish I had a copy. Such is life.

Looking back I have many memories of the Police Band. One, that comes to mind, is when I was roughly 10 years old, I found where my Dad stored extra badges. He kept them in a little brown bag in the attic of our home  When nobody was around I allowed myself to play with them. I wasn't a Badge Collector then, but today I am, and I have two Beautiful Badges, and some Real Nice Memories.

ERROR BADGE - JEWETT CITY

This was one of a few purchases I made at the Orlando Show on Sep. 1, 2018. I think it is an "error badge." I didn't pay much, and I thought it would be cool to do some Research, as I was curious about JEWETT CITY, NJ.

I like badges from New Jersey, that have the "Identical Shape" as the badge pictured above . Often I will haul a very large display case to a show letting everyone see my "60 plus" Municipal Police Badges, same shape, all obsolete, and all beautiful. 

When a fellow Collector offered this badge to me for a small amount, I made the buy.

Immediately I googled "Jewett City" and I came up with a "section" in Jersey City with that name. I thought, "Maybe this badge is going to have a home with me.".

When I got home I discussed this badge with some friends from Hudson County. Sadly they never heard of it, and my search throughout NJ ended as a Negative.

I did try surrounding States later on. Sure enough, there was a Jewett in New York, and a Jewett City in Connecticut. The first one has a population under 900. The second has a population of 3500, and technically is not a "City."  It is a "Borough." There does not appear to be a Police agency in either Community, so it is unlikely the Badge was intended for officers in those locations. 

My conclusion is, this Badge, when made, may have been intended as a "Sample Badge." The Center Seal (N.J.) was just an add on.   

I will place this badge with some "unique badges" that I have, until someone wishes to purchase it. It would be nice if a Collector of Connecticut Badges had some interest. 

TOP COP COLLECTION: ROSELLE, POLICE DIRECTOR

TOP COP COLLECTION: ROSELLE,  

POLICE DIRECTOR

ROSELLE is a Town in Union County, New Jersey. This item was carried by the POLICE DIRECTOR.

This is another Badge that uses the New York Captain design. I guess I am not the only one that loved that shape.

It is part of my TOP COP COLLECTION. As such it fits very nice with the other badges that are marked "Chief." The difference in the titles is simply political, and that is an area I will stay away from.

While I have had this badge since before I retired (20 years now) I don't recall very much about Roselle. I do remember going to a Restaurant called the Drop Zone and that was a lot of fun.

The "DZ" was near the business district and had great Italian Food. It was owned by a war veteran from the Newark area, and his wife who was an Iranian Muslim. She was a strict believer so she would only take your liquor order, and have someone else bring it to you. Her husband was not known for his attire or social skills often required everyone to stand (or be thrown out) to sing "God Bless America." That still makes me feel great and wish there were more places like the "DZ" today.

Back to the badge and its' particulars. It is a one piece blank with stamped recessed letters and blue fill. A NJ State Seal is affixed to the center of the badge after plating. The Seal is one that was in use in the 1940's and earlier up to late 50's. That would make this Badge at least 70 years of age.

One last look at it and I feel a little hungry. No lunch from the "DZ," but I'll get something. I guess food is what this beautiful piece of history will remind me of when I take my daily look at all in my Top Cop Collection where it is protected under lock and key.