175th anniversary badgesSer

"We don't need no stinkin' badges."  Do you?

Why are so many deputies sporting new 175th anniversary badges around the McHenry County Sheriff's Department?

Some badge company must have been going down its Sucker List and stopped when it got to the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Why should a County department authorize the wearing of a special badge? Where did the badges come from? Who paid for them?

The sheriff's department may be quick to say, "We didn't pay for them. The deputies bought them."

Yeah, sure. Where'd they get the money? Out of the clothing fund. And where did the money come from for the clothing fund? From the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. From the County of McHenry. From YOU, the Taxpayer!

What does a special-issue badge cost? $50? $75? $100? Are there special badges for Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, Commanders? for the Undersheriff? for the Sheriff?

Is there a special badge for Honorary or Retired deputies? Is there a badge for the Special Advisor to the Sheriff? Any special badges for the branch office in Zacatecas?

And, importantly, what happens to these badges, when the anniversary has passed? Are they turned in? Destroyed? Or do deputies keep them, if they quit, retire or are fired? If they do, then they are a lot of badges floating around out in the public that belong locked up in a vault or melted down.

Will someone email me a photo of the 175th Anniversary badge?

Are they numbered? Just be sure to block out your Badge Number. Mum's the word on the source of the photo. You know my word is good on that one.