Police badge, Rosey, and Wheats

[Merf]

I took a ride back to the woods today and found this Police badge. I covered the badge Number in the Pics and will call the police tomorrow to see if it is crime related. I was wearing gloves when I handled it and put it in a plastic bag just in case.
Anybody know about how old this style of badge might be. TIA
Good hunting to all

[bigjohn]

nice finds

[dooby]

Cool finds Merf !!!

[PAPPY]

When you turn the Police Badge in to the department make SURE you talk with them and let them know that your are available to help them out if they need help locating crime related objects. That will give you the upper hand in the area of metal detecting in your area. They will be glad to get the badge I know to keep it out of the wrong hands and may even be able to give you some good suggestions as where to detect.
Always good to have the PD on the good side.

[Steve in PR]

Wow, Merf! You have a nose for great finds! That's a real mystery.

I found this on the web. It was not what I was looking for but it reminds us how dangerous their job is, even in Joliet:

The Officer Down Memorial Page Remembers . . .

[Merf]

Thanks to all. Joliet is about 50 miles away and I found the badge in a location about 40 miles from Joliet.
I called the Joliet PD and told them about the find.
They asked me to E-Mail a picture which I did and they will try to find any info on the badge. The lady I talked to was thrilled about the find and very polite. Hope it is not associated with a cold case file. I wonder if it would be legal to sell it on E-Bay.

[Merf]

Here is the response I got from JPD.


Hi, Mr. Moore. I forwarded the photograph to one of our in-house experts on this matter, Sergeant Mau. He responded with the following.



If you have any questions, please call me (815/724-3210) or e-mail me.





Sharon Offermann

Secretary to Chief Hayes





“That is the small wallet badge that matched the “pie plate” badge we used to wear prior to 1970 or 1971. Back then, every few years the old badges and wallet badges were turned in and reissued by seniority. This has never been done with the present style badge.



“When the badges were changed in 1970-1971, those who had the old badges were allowed to keep both. They sometimes got separated so some people had mismatched numbers.



“I’ve seen this badge on ebay, or at collectors shows.



“He should clean it up. He has a collectible that I was always told was made of german silver.



These are VERY old. The company that made them has been out of business for years.”


Here it is cleaned up.
I am thinking about putting it on E-Bay.
Thanks to all and good hunting.

[JohnWPA]

Beautiful badge Merf....

John

[creekrat]

very nice badge and a good work.....creek

[elgrifon]

WOW Merf those ar some nice finds, the badge is an outstanding find, It is probably worth a lot to someone, Ebay may not be the best bet if you want the max money for it, I would contact a few antique deallers or collectors in the area or look on the net for people who collect such relics, I'll bet you could get a lot more money that way. This has to be one of the most interesting, non-meteoric, finds that I have seen from anyone.
Happy Hunting,
Joe Kerchner