Why are sheriff’s badges almost always star-shaped?

 

Why are sheriff’s badges almost always star-shaped?

Jane McKenna
Spokane, Washington

Primitive societies believed the star possessed magical powers, principal of which was the power to guard against danger and control evil forces. Down through the ages the star maintained that symbol of guardianship and was adopted by peace officers as a badge for that reason.

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Marshall Trimble

Marshall Trimble is Arizona’s official historian, board president of the Arizona Historical Society and vice president of the Wild West History Association. His latest book is Arizona’s Outlaws and Lawmen; History Press, 2015. If you have a question, write: Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 or e-mail him at marshall.trimble@scottsdalecc.edu