FlyByWire
I just work here
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- Aug 13, 2016
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When the Dept came out of the stone age and got computers, around 1987-'88, the computer generated new "Badge" (ID) numbers for all employees. The top numbers were, of course, issued to the Sheriff, Under Sheriff, Lieutenants, Sergeants, in that order. They issued the est of the numbers based on shift/unit assignments. Just so happened that the Boating Safety Unit was next on the list., so I ended up with a relatively low number. I kept that number as I advanced from Deputy to Sgt and then Lieutenant. When people are hired and entered, the computer issues their ID #s (civilian) & Badge #s (sworn/DOs).
I don't have my "Deputy" badge, as there was a re-design, due to a lawsuit. The guy who originally designed the Badge and Patch when the County split from Yuma in 1984, gave us license to use it free of charge. But after he passed on, the family copyrighted it and felt they should be paid. We said screw that and just redesigned and reissued everything. But they had to collect and destroy any Badges in the wild.
Then after 20 years, the past three Sheriffs somehow decided that we needed a new badge and patch design. For a department that was always so broke, it seems that throwing around thousands of dollars for redesign and badge/patch replacement every 4 years was a good way to spend funds. Not to mention the employees who had to pay out of pocket to have the old patches removed & new ones sewn on. Just to swell someone's ego.
The Sgt badge, top left, was the 2nd design and the others were the 3rd version. The top right badge was a special one year version to honor the Arizona Centennial (1912-2012).
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That’s crazy about the copyrighted badge design….
I have my AZ Centennial badge from my last job as well, neat to have;
I also have my grandfathers badge display they gave him after he retired. Which proudly hangs on my wall;