The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) celebrated its 150th anniversary last year and as a salute to that milestone has placed a Wall of Badges inside the History Hall at police headquarters.
GPD FACEBOOK POST FROM DEPARTMENT HISTORIAN CAPT. CHAD WHITE (RETIRED):
“One of the most iconic symbols for any law enforcement agency is the badge. Throughout the department’s history, officers have worn different styles of badges. Presently, Gainesville officers wear the anniversary badge, based on the design of the badge issued in 1948 under Chief William “Bill” Bagwell Jr.
To honor their current and past badges, the police department wanted to display them in their history hall inside the police department. Since they didn’t have all the original badges, Hall County Sheriff Lieutenant Kiley Sargent, a skilled craftsman at making wooden badges, was called upon. Lt. Sargent has taken great care to ensure that each badge is made with precision and accuracy. The police department was very grateful for all the effort he had put into making them.
The police department plans to place a plaque on the wall about the history of the various badges. The 150th-anniversary badge, along with the historical badges, is now on display inside the history hall. The history hall also displays many other artifacts, the GPD historical quilt, and photos that have contributed to the development of the department.
You can view Lt. Sargent’s great workmanship on the project page of his website: https://sargentwoodshop.com/ “