One of the old pictures that I hadn't seen in probably 60 years, or maybe never, is this one of my father: Herman William Beyer. It was taken around 1930. It's amazing how He looks like me.
If you know Newark Police Collectibles, you can easily tell, that the Badges on the uniform are the real deal. Just zero in on the "Hat Badge," and You will see the symbolic "Hammer," held by "an Arm and Hand." It is high on the top of this Hat Badge in the center. It sends a clear message, that this is the City Seal of Newark, NJ. If you can see close enough there are "Tell Tale" signs on the Breast Badge too.
First you will see, flying over the "number box," an Eagle. He is just about dead center. This is where other municipalities placed either, a State Seal or their own, but not Newark. They were known for an Eagle. Also on the sides of the "number box" are Pillars. They give the "number box" a nice frame.
The Eagle and the Pillars make the Newark Badge unique. I'd like to say, of the 500+ municipalities in New Jersey, I have never seen an officer's badge with this design. I just can't say never, as I am aware of two instances where there are "Pillars," and one of those has both Pillars and an Eagle. The City of Elizabeth has an Officer's Badge with Pillars (if still in use); and the Town of Springfield had (now obsolete) an Officer's Badge that had both the Eagle and Pillars.
Concerning the Eagle and Pillars, The Town of Springfield has a weird story. I posted an article in April of 2020 regarding it. For this article. I'll just say Springfield got this design, because they purchased some used Badges from their neighboring City.
Back to perusing the breast badge in the picture of my Dad. Look inside the number box, and three ones (111) make themselves known. That was my Father's first badge number. For some reason he had two Officer Badges during his career.. The second was number 30. I have never learned why he was issued a second number. I assumed He asked for it, and his request was honored.
Of course both "111" and "30" made their way to my collection. They are not the original badges, but are from a more recent issue. My Father would be very happy to see his Badges on my wall, as well as the Badge from Springfield, and yet another Newark Badge all the way from the UK. I have them all, on my wall with my "Collection of Memories".
This is a Hat Badge from Newark, and as the picture reveals, it has a distinctive "Hammer" held high at the Top Center. It is a "screw back" design for the hat. In the number box are the first numbers assigned to my Father - Herman Beyer.
To the Right is a standard Newark Badge. It is a shape that was quite common in New Jersey and New York. Inside the basic shape the badge becomes quite distinctive. Almost at dead center is the Newark Eagle. Flanking the number box are the Pillars, and inside the box, are a matching "111"
This Badge, showing "30" in the number box was the badge my Father had for most of his career. I remember in the 1950's He purchased "Vanity MV Plates" (HWB-30) so both Car and Badge had same number. The Car is long gone, but the Badge has made its way to my collection.
This is the matching Hat Badge on a different background. The hand holding the hammer is a little easier to detect. The number "30" matct Breast Badge perfectly.
Te Badge to the left is from "Springfield". It was originally made for "Newark" prior to being sold to "Springfield." The top pal is new and made for the new owner. The Pillars and Eagle remain in original form.
This Badge has nothing to do with my Father, but I am sure He would have enjoyed seeing it. It might very well have been placed on his N.P.D. Horse when He rode on the Mounted Squad in 1927. This was actually part of a Horse attire, but in "Newark" England. It goes well with my Memories.
ALL STATIONS: TAKE NOTE AS FOLLOWS:
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.
During 2020, while locked in my home on the lookout for Civid-19 germs, I saw that there was a Riot, with looting and arson. It was in some place here in the USA. I thought at first, I time travelled back to Newark in 1967. But I found out I was wrong.
The Story was from Minneapolis. This time the spark was a man named George Floyd. He was under arrest, and died on the ground with a police officer kneeling on his neck for 8-9 minutes. The video of this tragic death caused rioting in the streets. Strange but some of the rioters seemed very well prepared, and a number were from out of State.
In the days that followed there were multiple arsons, looting and destruction. Posts, Signs and the Media cried out to essentially hang the officers involved. No thorough investigation, indictment, or trial - just hang the officers immediately. After all the Mob knows what is right or wrong.
In Newark, fifty-three years earlier, "a rumor" that police killed a Taxi Driver, John Smith, following his arrest, caused a crowd to gather at the West District Station expressing their outage over a false report of a police killing.
The Newark riot also lasted several days and involved killings, robberies, and arsons. A little boy, age 12, was reported by LIFE MAGAZINE, with a cover photo, showing him also as a victim of the police. That too, was grossly misleading and wrong. Yet it made national news at the time.
The aftermath of the riots back in 67 and 68, as well as last summer, are giving me whiplash from shaking my head. I thought back in 67 that the politicians were out of their minds by saying they would eliminate "riots" by just changing the name to "civil disturbance." Absolutely Brilliant !
In Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland and God Knows Where, the abdication of politicians to just do their job, and allow the police to do their job is mind boggling. They are immune to the day to day problems that an officer faces on a regular basis. Today current politicians are using the "words "Defund The Police. This is insane.
Fortunately there is a remedy. Check your calendar and you will see tomorrow is Election Day. Get out and VOTE.
In case you are looking for some insight of what an officer communicates with his base during a Riot, you can read the description of actual police calls from the Newark Riot in 1967. Try to see yourself in the role of the person making these radio calls. Not much has changed over the last 53 years.
A SAMPLE OF COMMUNI
COPIED FROM LOG IN CHIEF OLIVER KELLY’S OFFICE
9:42p Radio transmission advises store at 180 Spruce (liquor store) being looted
9:46p Radio transmission windows being broken at Thomas and Broad.
9:52p Radio transmission looting at Morris and
9:55p Radio transmission Molotov cocktail being used at
10:00p Radio transmission store being looted at
10:02p Radio transmission furniture store going up at
11:50p Radio transmission Officer injured
11:51p Radio transmission Hold up and robbery at J & B
12:16a Radio transmission Chief …to protect men in field..that is to use firearms if necessary
12:31a Radio transmission request help at
12:48a Radio transmission women shot at
3:45a Radio transmission car 45A has man shot and four prisoners. Man was shot by police officer
Below, the rear of this badge is shown magnified, to reveal makers letters, Silver Marking, and Loomis' Name in lower panel.
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To start the "pinkish" background was not intended, but maybe the Lady who wore "lipstick," along with this Badge, had a similar match.
This item in Excellent Condition was recently obtained. It is a rare Newark Policewoman Badge. It is numbered 17 within the noticeable Newark Number Box, with pillars on each side.
Looking at it head on, it looks like the present day N.P.D badge. Note the "Newark Eagle" at the center of the badge, just over the Number Box. That tells you 99% of the time, that this is a badge from Newark NJ. Most other Jersey badges, with similar shape, have a State Seal at center point.
At the bottom of this shield is a panel that spells out the word "POLICEWOMAN." This is a unique tittle and no longer in use. Today Woman get the same badge as the Men.
The rear of this beautiful item yields more information, and a question. First there is no hallmark. That is not unusual. There is a pin and clasp which was in use in 50-60's and on to present day.
With all this said a final look at the Lower Rear Panel you will see the word, in reverse, N E W A R K. That, and a closer look on the front, mean that "POLICEWOMAN" is an added/over panel.
I believe the City of Newark purchased, as a cost saving measure, the add on panel. This could have been done by someone other the N.P.D.
In my years of collecting I have seen another original Newark Badge with an added panel.
My understanding is the Town of Springfield purchased a few badges from Newark and had their name placed on the top panel. If you are curious, below is a front and rear view of that badge.
I am very happy to have this badge, and have placed it with other "rare" badges from Newark that are in my Collection. They make for great memories and I can see them every day in what has become "my museum". Thanks to the wife for letting me have this room all to myself. Of course I paid the mortgage off first.
Should you have any information, on either of these badges, feel free to let me know at: jerseychief@gmail.com
