Images(5)

Badge, Law Enforcement

Object number2007.178.11

Date1974-1989

MediumLeather; metal; plastic; paper; ink

Credit LineGift of Joe Davis

DescriptionGold police badge inside black leather wallet. Badge: engraved eagle at top; engraved on banner is rank; around center in arc is organization name; and in middle of arc is state name; seal of PA in very center. On badge's bottom point is city abbreviation. Wallet: On front cover, gold metallic screen-printed seal of Pennsylvania. Inside left, clear plastic window with two associated papers, one is private detective license and other is blank police identification card. Blue leatherette page separates plastic window and badge. On back cover: pressed maker's stamp, bottom left corner.DimensionsWALLET: Width-- 3; Length-- 4.625

BADGE: W--1.75; L-- 2.875
InscriptionsBadge: engraved on banner, "LIEUTENANT"; around center in arc, "HOUSING AUTHORITY SECURITY / POLICE" and in middle of arc, "COMMONWEALTH OF / PENNSYLVANIA"; seal of Pennsylvania in very center.

On badge's bottom point: "PGH".

Wallet:
On front cover, gold metallic screen-printed seal of Pennsylvania.
Inside left, clear plastic window with two associated papers: "COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA / COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY / PRIVATE DETECTIVE LICENSE" on which "Arnold H. Smith" is listed as "Vice President"; penciled in on back, "5034 / PO BOX".
Second paper is a blank police identification card.
MarksOn back cover: pressed maker's stamp, bottom left corner: "STRONG / [image of bull]".
Historical NotesArnold Herbert Smith was a Pittsburgh police officer before spending twelve years with the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Police Force. Arnold Herbert Smith, Sr., was born on October 11, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Schenley High School in 1942, and quickly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific Theater. Three years later he married Mattie Lesesne; four children were born to this marriage. Years after his divorce to Mattie, he married Estella Pennington, with whom he had one son. Smith worked as a steelworker before joining the Pittsburgh Police Force in 1974; he eventually worked for the Housing Authority before retiring in 1986. Smith was also active in organizations, being a 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Affairs and the Fraternal Order of Police. He died September 19, 1999.

Previous owner Arnold Herbert Smith Sr. (1923 - 1999)

Related institution Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view