Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Constable 5th Township San Mateo County Badge, c. 1923-1935 |
Object Name |
Badge, Law Enforcement |
Description |
Constable 5th Township San Mateo County Badge, c. 1923-1935. Silver metal shield-shaped badge with an eagle perched on top. Shield portion has a slightly raised plain border and a lightly textured background with several un-textured banners across it. On these banners, stamped in black text, is the rank and location information. |
Date |
c. 1923-1935 |
Catalog Number |
2014.018.029.77 |
Collection |
3D - Personal Symbols |
Creator |
Unknown |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Inscription Text |
"CONSTABLE / 5TH TOWNSHIP / CALIF. / SAN MATEO COUNTY" (stamped in black on front) |
Provenance |
This artifact was owned and used by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. It is highly likely that this was Walter Moore’s badge when he was the constable in the 5th Township. He was elected a constable in Jan of 1923 and won three terms until Sheriff McGrath ended the position in 1935. The Eagle on the top of it definitely fits the badges of that era. Walter Moore created this collection while he was Deputy Sheriff in San Mateo County, 1941-1960. Mounted inside a large black box frame lined with navy blue velvet. |
Notes |
"From 1856 to 1894, San Mateo was referred to as the Second Township or the San Mateo Township of San Mateo County. The San Mateo County Sheriff was the chief law enforcement officer. Each township had Constables serve as their local law enforcement official. Like the Sheriff, Constables were elected to two-year terms in office. Two Constables were elected during each election to serve the San Mateo Township. Constables provided police service to the community, they carried out the orders of the Justice of the Peace, and they brought arrested individuals before the court." The 5th township, as of 1870, was Woodside. [https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/671/History-of-the-SMPD and https://www.sfgenealogy.org/sanmateo/smgov70.htm 06/25/2018] According to badge expert William Stephens, it is highly likely that this"was Walter Moore’s badge when he was the constable there. He was elected a constable in Jan of 1923 and won three terms until Sheriff McGrath ended the position in 1935. The Eagle on the top of it definitely fits the badges of that era." [04/26/2021] |
Dimensions |
H-2.5 W-1.75 inches |
Search Terms |
Badge Badges Law Enforcement Moore, Walter H. San Mateo County Sheriff's Office San Mateo County-Sheriffs Sheriff's Department Sheriffs |
Subjects |
Badges Law enforcement |
People |
Moore, Walter H. |
Credit line |
Courtesy of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office |