Description

Custom Badges

Custom Badges – Custom Five Point Star Badge – As settlers of the west became the targets of Indians, bandits, and thieves – they needed someone to protect them and their property. The Sheriffs were the chief keepers of the peace in the western territories and usually fit into one of two categories: the quick or the dead.

Our Old West replica badges are crafted out of steel and brass. We double-stamp them and then they are silver plated. Finally each Old West badge is hand finished for that worn, antique look. Heavy safety pin closure on the back of each badge.

Badges arrive in a small gift box.  Badge size is approximately 3 1/8″ H.

Customizing Your Badge

Both top and bottom ribbons are customizable, to a maximum of 25 characters on each ribbon.  Enter your desired text in the options boxes at checkout.

Multiple Custom Badges

If you would like more than one custom badge please send us an email for a quote to save on shipping.  Volume discounts are available for orders of more than 20 (of the same) badges.

See more Sheriff Badges here.

A LITTLE HISTORY…

Confronted with serious issues of crime, disorder, vice, and violence, the pioneers of the old West turned to members of their communities to enforce order. The office of sheriff was a natural addition in this environment. Selection could be made by appointment, or in most cases by popular vote from community residents to select a sheriff.

The county-wide jurisdiction of the office fit very nicely in the law enforcement efforts and supervision of the vast countryside. The sheriff was able respond to the hue and cry quickly.  He could raise a posse and that helped greatly with the issues of crime and the isolated nature of the frontier. The office that had evolved over the centuries was a “hand in glove fit” for local law enforcement in the Wild West.

The office of the sheriff spread from community to community throughout settled areas west of the Mississippi. In 1823 and 1824, the colony of San Felipe de Austin formed a set of community rules.  The rules included a justice of the peace and an appointed sheriff to enforce regulations.

In 1836, the adaptation of a constitution for the newly created Republic of Texas formally required these positions.  It read in part: “There shall be appointed for each county, a convenient number of Justices of the Peace, one sheriff, and one coroner, who shall hold their offices for two years, to be elected by qualified voters of the district or county, as Congress may direct. Justices of the Peace and sheriffs shall be commissioned by the President [of the Republic]”.