| A History of Los Angeles County Badges |
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When California became a state in 1850, Los Angeles County was
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 individual's taste and pocketbook. This
practice continued into the early 1900's. More examples here.
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 individual's taste and pocketbook. This
practice continued into the early 1900's. More examples here.
As times and styles changed, so, too, did the
pointed star was adopted. A variety of lettering can
As times and styles changed, so, too, did the be
found of these old pieces. Lettering such as:
badges. At some time in those early years a six
Deputy L.A. Co. Sheriff, Deputy Los Angeles
Sheriff, and Deputy Los Angeles Co. is common.
More examples here.
pointed star was adopted. A variety of lettering can
As times and styles changed, so, too, did the be
found of these old pieces. Lettering such as:
badges. At some time in those early years a six
Deputy L.A. Co. Sheriff, Deputy Los Angeles
Sheriff, and Deputy Los Angeles Co. is 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
authorized 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 have seen, amongst
the numbers.
More examples here.
second time. During his time in office he appointed
almost 9000 Special Deputies. The Board of Supervisors
authorized 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 have 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.
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 after
serving nearly two decades spent many years working 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.
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 after
serving nearly two decades spent many years working 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
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
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, was sold to
deputies by the Department and authorized for wear only in the year
2000 and thereafter encased in acrylic for return to the deputy.
Original cost to a deputy was over $200. Hallmarked "Ed Jones Co."
Berkeley, Ca. "STERLING" Remakes are available without hallmark
and are sometimes sold as a badge, which they are not!
Actual badge is highly polished silver which was dulled with spray for
picture.
deputies by the Department and authorized for wear only in the year
2000 and thereafter encased in acrylic for return to the deputy.
Original cost to a deputy was over $200. Hallmarked "Ed Jones Co."
Berkeley, Ca. "STERLING" Remakes are available without hallmark
and are sometimes sold as a badge, which they are not!
Actual badge is highly polished silver which was dulled with spray for
picture.
