Elected Sheriff Badges

Elected Sheriffs

This gold shield was presented to Frank D. Creamer upon his election to the office of Sheriff, Kings County New York (Brooklyn) on June 21, 1898 by his friends. This elegant badge was made by World Renowned Master jeweler and decorative arts craftsman Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiffany was known for his extravagant one of a kind pieces of jewelry , stained glass , and decorative arts, that can be seen around the world in museums and many elite private collections. Tiffany’s attention to detail and use of only the finest materials in his masterpieces is what separated him and his company from the rest of the jewelers and craftsman of his time. The top of the badge depicts an Eagle with rising sun rays behind it, beneath its wings facing left and right, (in Peace & War) are two Gryphons, ever watchful. The gryphon was thought of as king of all creatures. Gryphons are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions. In heraldry, the griffin's amalgamation of lion and eagle gains in courage and boldness, and it is always drawn to powerful fierce monsters. It is used to denote strength and military courage and leadership. The center star, adorned with a 3 carat stone and surrounded by precious and semi precious stones has eight points representing “New Beginnings”. The sides of the shield are adorned with a laurel wreath which represents “Victory”. The bottom of the shield has an unfurling banner with the word SHERIFF spelled out in precious & semi precious stones. This stunning badge was hand crafted from 14k gold and weighs an astounding 78.8 DWT ( penny weight)/ 118.2 grams which translates out to exactly 3.8 oz. Dimensions: 3-5/8" Tall.

8/30/2018

Geo. Williams was Sheriff of Hawaii (Hilo) from 1883 until August 14, 1894.

Geo. H. Williams / Jan. 1, 1894 /
From Hilo Police

14k gold badge worn by Hank McCoy who was elected in 1878. His son Charles J.McCoy followed in his footsteps and was elected Sheriff in 1914, a position he held for 32 years until 1946. Charles had a jeweler add the top ribbon and proudly wore the badge. This badge is pictured in Witherell’s book, California’s Best, page 25 and on the front cover and on page 78 of Badges of America’s Finest Vol II.

This is how the badge would have appeared when Hank McCoy wore it beginning in 1878, before his son Charles had the jeweler add the top banner in 1915 to commemorate Father and Son elections to Sheriff.

Alpine County Sheriff badge, Hallmarked Irvine & Jachens.
1st badge worn by Stuart Merrill who was elected in 1958 and served
5 terms.

Chico Record
December 27, 1916

December 25, 1916

14k gold badge presented to newly elected Sheriff John A. Miller May 19, 1935. He was in office 1935-1943. Hallmarked Jones 14k. Center stone is 1/2 carat. Smaller stones are all 1/10 and the jeweler states they are unusally high quality. Total 1.2 carats.

Presented To / John A. Miller / By His Many Friends / and
Co-workers / Alvarado Park, Richmond, Calif / May 19, 1935.

Early Sheriff’s badge made of sterling silver with hard fired black enamel.

Gold front presentation badge to Del Norte Sheriff Glover.
He was Sheriff from 1947 to 1954 after having lost the election to Harold Scott in the November 1954 election.

Best Wishes To “Chuck from Del Norte Road and Gun Club 1947.

Sheriff George Washington Kemp of Lake County, CA Sheriff badge, made of sterling with hard fired blue enamel.
Officer Down Memorial Page

Back of badge showing presentation:
Presented To
Walter B. Sellmer By Friends 1930. Hallmarked Irvine & Jachens. 14k.

Sheriff Marin County presentation badge to Walter B. Sellmer who served as Sheriff from
1930 to1954. The center of the badge has the slogan Marvelous Marin and a depiction of the Golden Gate Bridge scene.

14k gold Sheriff of Nevada Co. Cal. first worn by
Sheriff R.D. Carter who was elected in 1882-1883 and then by his nephew George R. Carter who was elected Sheriff in 1927-1934. This badge is pictured in Witherell’s book, “California’s Best” on page 27 and in
Jim Casey’s book, “Badges of America’s Finest”
on page 35.

14k gold Sheriff of Nevada Co. Cal. Presented to George R. Carter who was elected Sheriff in 1927. This badge is pictured in Witherell’s book, “California’s Best” on page 27 and in
Jim Casey’s book, “Badges of America’s Finest”
on page 35. See reverse presentation below.

15 November 1946
Sacramento Bee

On February 19, 1872 the California State Legislature passed a bill allowing county Sheriff’s and their deputies to wear a badges. On March 29th 1872 the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors authorized the sheriff to purchase badges for himself, the Undersheriff and his deputies.

This badge was obtained from the family of Sacramento Sheriff Adolph Heilbron who served from 1880-1882. It was made by Will & Finck San Francisco. It is believed that this badge was the very one purchased in 1872 and first worn by Sheriff Michael Bryte 1872-1874 and then by Hugh McElroy LaRue 1874-1876, and then by Sheriff Moses M. Drew 1876-1878, 1878-1880, and finally Adolph Heilbron.

Adolph Heilbron
Sheriff 1880-1882

Presented to W. A. Ingalls / By His Deputies /
Hallmarked D&R 14k.

Purchase price in 1907 was $1200. The badge was in the safe deposit box of Mrs. N. B. Mercer in Tonopah, Nevada from 1921 to 1967. In 1967 the badge was gifted to Ron Donoho, Nevada Historian and well known old west collector. William Ingalls was not the first Sheriff of Esmeralda County but he was the first Sheriff of Esmeralda County at the newly located County Seat in Goldfield.

This hand made and engraved silver shield was first worn by Wm. A. Ingalls, the 1st Sheriff of Esmeralda County once the county seat was moved to Hawthorne, Nevada in 1893, and in Goldfield until 1907. It was worn by William B. Mercer, Stepson of Wm. Ingalls, from 1921 to 1935. William B. Mercer was the 2nd elected Sheriff of Esmeralda County at Goldfield. This badge is pictured in R. L. Wilson’s book, “The Peacemakers” on page 200 although he put the caption for the Constable badge pictured below by mistake. It is also pictured in the Time Life, The Old West series in “The Gunfighters” book on page 100.

Presentation on reverse:
Presented To Wm. A. Ingalls
By His Deputies & Friends.
(According to Ron Donoho the deputies for Sheriff Ingalls got together and sent two Twenty Dollar Gold Coins to the jeweler so he would have Goldfield gold to make the badge.)

Jefferson Co. MO Sheriff 14k gold presentation badge: Presented by His "Friends"
William A. Crader Aug. 4, 1913.

Sheriff Montgomery Co. MO shield of J. T. Hunt. Back of badge the presentation reads: From M.R.C. to J.T. Hunt., made by Wirth & Jachens S. F. circa 1900.

14k gold Sheriff Penobscot Co. ME badge with hard fired black enamel. Named on the back to G.W. Brown. Research continues but newspapers reveal that in July 1880 through July 1883 he was a Deputy Sheriff in Penoscot Co. He was Sheriff in 1887 and in Mach 1898 and March 1903 he was elected Constable at Alton, ME.

14k gold badge, Sheriff
Onondaga County, N.Y.
Presented to Stephen Thornton by his deputies in 1898.