COLLECTING MEMORIES - POLICE SURGEON

I obtained this beautiful Badge a couple of months ago from another collector. He is downsizing, as am I. My wife wonders, " How can you downsize, if you keep on buying Stuff?"

Well, this Newark "POLICE SURGEON" item hardly falls in the category of "Stuff." Just give it a "quick eyeball", and you will observe, that this Badge is made in the very rare design used for the making of The Chief's Badge. Of course there are no stars across the top.

Giving this shield a closer look,  one will note that, it is heavy. It is gold plated, but that doesn't give it the weight,  that I mentioned to my wife. I just knew saying "solid gold finish" sounded better to her,  then truthfully saying, gold plated. The point is, this Badge has a real nice finish on its' solid frame.

A quick flip, to the rear,  reveals a nice smooth back, with a locking pin. The closer look, with my big magnifying glass, showed the name "Blackinton."  That was the correct makers mark. It appears in the upper right rear corner of third picture. 

Looking at the front of the Badge the eye will see a Blue Ring about the size of a "half-dollar." It is large, and surrounds the City Seal. The words around the ring read: Police Department, City Of Newark, NJ.  Beneath this ring with the Seal, is a single panel that simply reads "SURGEON."

I traced the existence of this title back to the late 1800's. I was able to review a Newark Police "Annual Report for 1893", and at that time there was one Surgeon listed in the table of organization. That would be J. Henry Clarke, M.D.

Dr. Clarke, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1893,   submitted a three page report.  He stated that for that year he complied  "... responded to all calls from the four precincts, day and night, and he has endeavored to give all necessary, prompt and proper attention to every case."  His statistics shows he handled for the year a "total number of cases - 1134."


It would appear that Dr. Clarke, judging from his sharp words, was a strong advocate for  Police Officers. He wrote about work conditions and chastised the Board of Police Commissioners for failing "to obtain a new and suitable building and location for the Second Precinct." "I would condemn the present building and location."

This bit of History by Dr. Clarke really made my old bones feel good. The Good Surgeon was doing the same for Newark Police Officers one hundred years ago. I'll be sure to remember that, when I look at this fine Badge which has now joined my Collection. I am proud to have this POLICE SURGEON Badge hanging on my wall in a fitting glass display.

ORLANDO ONCE AGAIN

ORLANDO ONCE AGAIN
Annual Police Badge and Patch Show
September 7, 2019

Labor Day is the usual sign that summer is ending. It also is the time of year that, the "Mighty Badge Collectors" from the South, all converge on Orlando, FL.  September 7, 2019 found yours truly present with around one hundred other collectors.  

As always the Show is at the Rosen Plaza Hotel on International Drive. It's a nice Hotel, and they always offer a good price for a room. I like it, and I enjoy the Shops and Restaurants across the street too.

I always look forward to the main event which was on Saturday, September 7.  But I must say, "It is getting harder, and harder to make the trip. I swear the miles between Naples and Orlando increase every year. Lois, my wife, says, "It's time to slow down." I had a helper for a couple of years, but He quit. So now, its just Lois and me. She will let me attend for a couple more years. 

This year we took only two tables and I certainly filled it with my treasures from the Newark Police Dept. My dad served there for thirty-seven years. He retired as a Detective. 

Dad got me started as a collector over 50 years ago. I saved him a seat at my table, so he could take it all in with me. Under his watchful eye,  One more memory,  landed on Our Table - A Trophy for Honorable Mention at this years Show. This was the first year for this award. It was presented by Doug Sarubbi and John Holmes. I (Dennis Beyer) was the proud winner of my Newark , N.J. Exhibits.
                                        

I also brought a Badge from the Old West which I have had the pleasure of hanging on my wall for over a decade. It is a sterling silver Presentation Badge that dates to 1912, when New Mexico became a State. It belonged to Chief Deputy US Marshal, Horace W. Loomis. 

He enjoys a spot in History stemming from the fact that, he killed the Outlaw Code(y) Young. The Outlaw was a member of the "Infamous High Five Gang." 

Loomis, while "Still Hunting" (undercover),  also had a hand in the capture of "Bronco Billy" Walters, another Outlaw terrorizing Arizona, and New Mexico in the 1890's. Anyone interested in purchasing this Badge, the asking price is $7500. 

                             

             

After settling in, I spent some quality time just talking with fellow collectors. I like talking, but I had to be real careful  around John W.  Holmes. When I talked to him, he kept selling me 'item after item'.  John is one of the Show's Founders, and just a great guy.  Somehow John talked me into becoming the owner of the two fine badges shown below, as well as the middle initial of his name.  

John is pictured below, along with Two of the Several Badges I purchased from him. The first is from the U.S. Navy. It is for the title "Naval Investigator," which was the predecessor for N.C.I.S.  The second badge pictured below is from Pensacola, Fl. When John showed it to me,  I just was stricken with the colors in this impressive shield. Red, White, and Blue. Can't be any better then that!   

                                          

After Mr Holmes released my ear I just took my time walking around the ballroom. There were exhibits all over the entire room. In a few minutes I  focused on Rick Amos (pictured below). 

Rick is always at these shows. He and his wife bring some high quality badges for our enjoyment. He always has a smile, and he also has great things to talk about. I like that. 

Lois, My wife, kept an eye on my exhibit while I walked some more. I saw Sam Goldstein, and Eric Wollman (New York Minute, P.C. News). They were enjoying themselves. Naturally there were also some new guys in the room too. I found representatives of a Wood Fabricating Business, and they do work that supports our hobby's interest. They are MES MAKERS and their products can be located on line at: 

               www.facebook.com/MesMakers/

The pictures below are examples of the work that this enterprise produces, and the proud owners.

                                          

Doug Sarubbi, as everyone knows, is the Primary Sponsor of this show. Doug summoned our attention around 10:00 AM. It was sad news that he conveyed to us. He announced the Death of a long time friend of this Show, and our Hobby. He was a motorcycle officer and patch collector.

This display was made by Rob Jackson in Memory of our Friend - Jim Stewart. After Doug's announcement John Holmes asked for a moment of silence. 

PRESENTATION OF MAJOR AWARDS

The Show has a Patch Drop for our exhibitors. This usually starts the presentation of Awards. John Holmes pulled out the name of this years winner - Charles Wallace. He is a Deputy with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and  a happy man with his win. He is pictured below with the box containing all hose Patches.

*****

In a back corner of the room was a fine display of Patches. It belonged to Jeff Peeler who insisted I take a good picture of him. That's it on top.

I know he is happy with the picture, especially since He won the Show's Award for Best Patch Display.  That is Jeff pictured below, with parts of his display. He is also pictured with Doug and John who presented he Award. I know Jeff is one happy gentleman.                               

  

                                           

  

                                                    

  

              *****

                               


The next  winner was for the Best Badge Display  He was Lewis Surrey. He had a huge collection that stood over several tables. We have conversed over the years, so I know how proud he was to receive this trophy from Doug and John. 
                                   

 

                                     

 

                                           

*****

The Award that followed was the Big One. It is the Trophy for the Best Overall Display.

This year the Award was presented by our Sponsors Doug and John to Steve Srozinski. They are pictured below, and Steve sure enough looks very happy with his 2019 Trophy.

Steve's display was of badges and patches from Florida with a large concentration on Jacksonville. 

*****

Shortly after the last award was presented the wife advised,  "It's  time to move along."  I did so without talking back. I know better, and I know she, and GPS, will get me here again next year to share more good memories.

                                            

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.