California Early Badges

$45,500 San Francisco Police Chief
Martin J. Burke’s
(1858-1866) 14k gold presentation badge. The San Francisco Bulletin newspaper in May of 1860 mentioned his badge and called it “Dazzling”.

Reverse of Chief Martin Burke’s badge showing the presentation.

Carlifonia Early Badges

On September 9, 1850 California became a state. Portions of California were already populated but with the 1849 gold rush thousands of people from all over the world rushed to the gold fields. San Francisco was the most populated city and established a police force in 1849. Marysville was the second largest city in California due to it being the most northern terminus for the paddle wheel ships that made their way from the San Francisco Bay carrying miners of every nationality. The badges on this page are some of the earliest California badges known. There are many other California early badges on this site but those on this page are document to the year shown.

$8,500 City Marshall E. O. Tompkins
Nevada Ctiy, CAL 1858 - 1859
Made of sheet silver with hand engraved lettering.

1858

$6,500 Marysville Police badge first worn by Marysville Policeman Charles L. “Butch” Doebler, appointed November 1st, 1858 and who was assassinated on May 10, 1866. After Doebler’s death the badge was purchased from his widow by John Colford, Sr., who later sold it to Hank McCoy, who then wore it as a Policeman on the Marysville Police Department. McCoy’s son, Charles, would later wear it in 1900 serving in the same position. Charles J.McCoy, pictured below, one of California's native sons, having been born in Marysville, October 16, 1874. From April 2, 1900, until 1914, he served as police officer and Chief of the Police department of Marysville. In 1914 he was elected Sheriff of Yuba County, assuming his new duties as Sheriff in January 1915, a position he held for 32 years until 1946. This badge is pictured on page 78 of Badges of America’s Finest Vol II.

1858

$6,500 Petaluma Constable Frank Adel
Appointed Constable 1865, 1867, 1869, 1873
Appointed Deputy Constable 1872
The Petaluma Journal and Argus Sept. 21, 1865 Pg. 2, Col. 3. Election day was Sep. 6th, 1865. The following comprises the Constables and Roadmasters chosen at the recent election:
Petaluma--James H. Knowles' and Frank Adel.
Research Courtesy Raymond L. Owen.

1865

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Article in the American Cowboy May/June 2003 written by William Manns.
High Noon Auction

$50,000 Morphy Auction description: Jeweler made, composed of two tones of solid gold, finely engraved with detailed spiraling scrolls with blue-enameled scroll highlights. Shield-shaped with blue "CITY/MARSHAL" enameled in center, surrounded by a relief applied wreath of leaves with a detailed eagle perched on top, head turned to the left and inlaid with a diamond eye. The back is inscribed "Presented by Li Po Tai Co/to/William Saxton(Sic)/San Jose May 1st, 1872". Solid large gold single pin runs vertically. Measuring 2-1/8" wide by 2-1/2" high. Weighs 2.25 ounces, solid gold.

Reverse of City Marshal Badge showing presentation:
Presented by Li Po Tai Co.
to
William Saxton
San Jose May 1872.

William Sexton, California Pioneer who served as Sheriff of Placer County before moving to San Jose where he served as City Marshal.

6/10/17

1872

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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.

$5,500 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 J Barneberg By Member’s of S. L. Obispo Branch of the Workingmen’s Party February 9th 1878.

John W. Barneberg was born in 1851 in Iowa and died March 9, 1930. In 1883 he was the Tax Collector.

$9,750 Police Officer San Luis Obispo, 1878 Presentation badge, jeweler made, sterling silver, hand engraved, hard fired enamel.

3/23/11

1878

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1872

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Sheriff, Sacramento County, hallmarked Will & Finck
S. F. CAL. Gold washed. Police Historian R. Tod Ruse identified the badge to be worn by Adolph Heilbron who was elected Sheriff of Sacramento County in 1879, which office he held for two terms.