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An ornate star from a deputy sheriff in
DeKalb County, Illinois, probably 1940's |
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By about the 1950s, northern Illinois Sheriff's were using
"Sheriff's Police" as an agency title. DeKalb County was
no exception.
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This large, flat tin from Kane County,
Illinois was hand engraved. The heavy, dark patina is indicative of its
age, probably pre-1920's |
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A much later star from Kane County,
probably circa 1950s, included ornate arms and a solid disc without a
state seal. |
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About the same era, this special
deputy's badge was gold plated, though nearly all the plate has worn
away. These were also commonly given to railroad police by the
sheriff. |
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Mrs. Ruby Ely served the Marshall
County, Illinois Sheriff's Department in many capacities during the
1940's under Sheriff Zenith Graves. Not only was she the "lady
bailiff" and Matron but she also ran a boarding house, a catering
service and she was an LPN in order to make ends meet and support her
war-disabled husband. Mrs. Ely died in the early 1990's. |
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A six point ball tipped star from Du
Page County, Illinois. Note the holes worn into the ball tips of this
star that probably dates to the 20's or earlier. |
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Du Page County wore a hat badge very
similar to the Illinois State Police during the same era. Du Page
seems to always have worn gold, a tradition still practiced today,
even on the department's patrol units. |
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This large 5-point ball-tipped star was
very commonly used in the suburbs of Chicago and Du Page County
was no exception. Circa 1960s |
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This smaller version of the above badge
was sometimes worn in the wallet or on a shirt while the large version
was for the coat but commonly used for a shirt as well. |
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A six point flat star for a special
deputy in Peoria County, Illinois with simple ornamentation on the arms. |
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Another Peoria County star shows a little fancier ornamentation on the
face.
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Yet another Peoria County deputy's star, this one wreathed. Note
the crooked placement of the star on the wreath.
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This tin star was probably worn on a lapel by a deputy in the Macoupin
County, Illinois Sheriff's Office, 1920s or before. It measures
approximately an inch and a half.
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When the Sheriff of Pike County,
Illinois purchased this simple eagle top in the early 1900's, he
probably paid no more than twenty-five cents for it. |
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Another early 1900s deputy sheriff's shield, this one from Kendall
County, Illinois, shows tarnish indicative of its age.
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This Boone County deputy sheriff's
shield is an oddity in the northern Illinois region where most
departments use stars. |
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A later badge in Boone County, circa
1950-60s, was the more traditional 5-point ball-tipped star. It also
included an ornamental ticking around the edge of the disc. |
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This flat tin star of the Sangamon County, IL sheriff is the epitome of
the "old west style" badge, including the flat
ball-tips. Circa 1910s
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This small star from Tazewell County, IL also typifies the era of 1920s
or before. Note the badge number. Not just badge
"6" but badge "06".
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A 1950's era Will County, Illinois is a
more commonly found style
among that region's badges. |
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Winnebago County, Illinois deputy's
wore this smaller ball tipped star.
The pin was attached horizontally as opposed to the more common vertical
application |
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A King County, Washington Deputy
Sheriff's badge, probably dating from the 1940's to 50's shows a unique
style along with a well-worn George Washington. |
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Los Angeles County "walking
bear" badges were known for having some unusual titles. This
was for the "Communications Reserve", a rarely found badge. |
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This Los Angeles County deputy's star
was for the Flood Control District. Oftentimes, LA County Sheriff
would deputize members of other government organizations or even
railroads so they had arrest or enforcement powers |
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This Lee County, VA "tin
star" is also known in collecting as a "flat star" since
there are no attached panels, seals, etc. |
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San Bernardino County, CA, used the
traditional 7-point star with reverse enamel panels. The
white-ringed seal, this one the custom county seal, was popular in the
1930s-1940s in California. |
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A large green cactus sits in the center
of the Yuma County AZ deputy badge, a part of the custom county seal. |
