| A History of Los Angeles County Badges |
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When California became a state in 1850, Los Angeles County was
formed. In the early 1850's there were just under 7,400 people
living in the new County. Although the population was sparse, the
geographic size of the County was much larger than it is today.
It's boundaries included what is now Riverside, San Bernardino,
Orange, and parts of Ventura and Kern Counties. (see bottom of
this page) The badge on the right is an example of the type of
badge worn in those early days. Their style and appearance would
vary based on the individuals taste and pocketbook. This practice
continued into the early 1900's. More examples here.
formed. In the early 1850's there were just under 7,400 people
living in the new County. Although the population was sparse, the
geographic size of the County was much larger than it is today.
It's boundaries included what is now Riverside, San Bernardino,
Orange, and parts of Ventura and Kern Counties. (see bottom of
this page) The badge on the right is an example of the type of
badge worn in those early days. Their style and appearance would
vary based on the individuals taste and pocketbook. This practice
continued into the early 1900's. More examples here.
As times and styles changed, so too, did the badges.
At some time in those early years a six pointed
star was adopted. A variety of lettering can be
found of these old pieces. Lettering such as:
Deputy L.A. Co. Sheriff, Deputy Los Angeles
Sheriff, and Deputy Los Angeles Co. are common.
More examples here.
At some time in those early years a six pointed
star was adopted. A variety of lettering can be
found of these old pieces. Lettering such as:
Deputy L.A. Co. Sheriff, Deputy Los Angeles
Sheriff, and Deputy Los Angeles Co. are common.
More examples here.
Sometime shortly after 1900, an eagle
top badge was adopted by many of the
personnel. This was smaller and lighter
and fit under the lapel of a suit.
More examples here.
top badge was adopted by many of the
personnel. This was smaller and lighter
and fit under the lapel of a suit.
More examples here.
In 1914, John C. Cline was elected Sheriff for the
second time. During his time in office he appointed
almost 9000 Special Deputies. The Board of Supervisors
forced him to change from the eagle top badge to a bear
top badge with a control number displayed in plain sight.
This was to render the "Special" badges useless.
This design is sometimes referred to as the "first issued
badge". Some examples have a small "D" at the end of
the badge number or in one case I've seen, amongst the
numbers.
More examples here.
second time. During his time in office he appointed
almost 9000 Special Deputies. The Board of Supervisors
forced him to change from the eagle top badge to a bear
top badge with a control number displayed in plain sight.
This was to render the "Special" badges useless.
This design is sometimes referred to as the "first issued
badge". Some examples have a small "D" at the end of
the badge number or in one case I've seen, amongst the
numbers.
More examples here.
In 1933, Eugene Warren Biscailuz became Sheriff of Los
Angeles County. Among the many innovative changes he made
was making the Department the first in the nation to have its
personnel wear a uniform. With the uniform came a hat which
was required to be worn. A new badge and hat piece were
designed and once again the County went to the use of a six
pointed star.
More examples here.
Angeles County. Among the many innovative changes he made
was making the Department the first in the nation to have its
personnel wear a uniform. With the uniform came a hat which
was required to be worn. A new badge and hat piece were
designed and once again the County went to the use of a six
pointed star.
More examples here.
Designed by Deputy Bob Brown, the badge currently worn by sworn
personnel was approved by county ordinance on July 26, 1948.
Some of this design were issued prior to that date in late 1947.
Retired Deputy Robert E. Lee Brown, 95 yrs old, passed away on
September 13, 2005 of possible heart failure.
Deputy Brown joined the Department on June 1, 1955 and retired
from Main Office, Civil, on May 25, 1970. He had an exceptional
career during his Department service and for many years there
after in the movie industry, not as an actor, but as a costume
designer for many of the early day cowboy actors such as William
Boyd, Hopalong Cassidy for you younger guys, and did many
costume designs for his close friend John Wayne.
Deputy Brown was the designer of our current badge. He was asked
by the Undersheriff, Peter Pitchess, to prepare a new design. He
submitted two to the Undersheriff. Both were acceptable and our
current one went into the Department history books.
At this time a new hat piece was designed for male personnel in
keeping with "bear top" theme used by the County.
The female cap piece was designed smaller and without the inserted
badge numbers at the bottom of the badge.
More examples here.
personnel was approved by county ordinance on July 26, 1948.
Some of this design were issued prior to that date in late 1947.
Retired Deputy Robert E. Lee Brown, 95 yrs old, passed away on
September 13, 2005 of possible heart failure.
Deputy Brown joined the Department on June 1, 1955 and retired
from Main Office, Civil, on May 25, 1970. He had an exceptional
career during his Department service and for many years there
after in the movie industry, not as an actor, but as a costume
designer for many of the early day cowboy actors such as William
Boyd, Hopalong Cassidy for you younger guys, and did many
costume designs for his close friend John Wayne.
Deputy Brown was the designer of our current badge. He was asked
by the Undersheriff, Peter Pitchess, to prepare a new design. He
submitted two to the Undersheriff. Both were acceptable and our
current one went into the Department history books.
At this time a new hat piece was designed for male personnel in
keeping with "bear top" theme used by the County.
The female cap piece was designed smaller and without the inserted
badge numbers at the bottom of the badge.
More examples here.
In the 1960's the female cap piece was discontinued and in the 1970's
the male cap piece was also discontinued. In the 1990's the County
adopted a new cap piece for male deputies. This was not issued but
made available for purchase.
Also in the 1990's the County changed the contractor for making its
deputy badges to Sun Badge Co. A number of badges and cap pieces
were made but the contract for badges was canceled after a short run
and the County has gone back to the original contractor. Sun Badge
continues to make the cap pieces.
More examples here.
the male cap piece was also discontinued. In the 1990's the County
adopted a new cap piece for male deputies. This was not issued but
made available for purchase.
Also in the 1990's the County changed the contractor for making its
deputy badges to Sun Badge Co. A number of badges and cap pieces
were made but the contract for badges was canceled after a short run
and the County has gone back to the original contractor. Sun Badge
continues to make the cap pieces.
More examples here.
"Millennium Badge" and 150th year Anniversary Badge, sold by the
Department and authorized for wear in the year 2000. Taken back at
end of 2000 and encased in acrylic for return to the deputy. Original
cost to deputies was over $200. Hallmarked "Ed Jones Co." Berkeley,
Ca. "STERLING" Remakes are available without hallmark and are
not sterling silver. These are often represented as the authentic issued
badge, which they are not!
Actual badge is highly polished silver which was dulled with spray for
picture.
Department and authorized for wear in the year 2000. Taken back at
end of 2000 and encased in acrylic for return to the deputy. Original
cost to deputies was over $200. Hallmarked "Ed Jones Co." Berkeley,
Ca. "STERLING" Remakes are available without hallmark and are
not sterling silver. These are often represented as the authentic issued
badge, which they are not!
Actual badge is highly polished silver which was dulled with spray for
picture.
August 7, 1851, Los Angeles County was divided into six townships.
Los Angeles, San Gabriel, San Jose, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and
San Juan Capistrano.
April 1853, San Bernardino County was formed out of Los Angeles
County.
April 2, 1866, Kern County was formed out of Los Angeles County.
1886, Pasadena was incorporated.
1888, Long Beach was incorporated.
1890 Orange County was formed out of Los Angeles County.
1910, Town of Hollywood was annexed by Los Angeles.
July 8, 1911, Burbank was incorporated.
Los Angeles, San Gabriel, San Jose, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, and
San Juan Capistrano.
April 1853, San Bernardino County was formed out of Los Angeles
County.
April 2, 1866, Kern County was formed out of Los Angeles County.
1886, Pasadena was incorporated.
1888, Long Beach was incorporated.
1890 Orange County was formed out of Los Angeles County.
1910, Town of Hollywood was annexed by Los Angeles.
July 8, 1911, Burbank was incorporated.
