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Why is a marshal or sheriff's badge traditionally a five-pointed star but a deputy's six-pointed?

Question #115944. Asked by star_gazer.
Last updated Jun 05 2021.

serpa
Answer has 3 votes
serpa
17 year member
2380 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
I just checked the photos of several sheriffs from different counties in California. All of them have seven points. Here's a photo of one:

link http://www.co.sisqjustice.ca.us/Sheriff/sheriff.htm

Jul 12 2010, 7:11 PM
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Zbeckabee star
Answer has 4 votes
Zbeckabee star
Moderator
19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.
It just isn't true that sheriffs always wore five-pointed stars and their deputies six-pointed ones.

Early American lawmen forged a new tradition of forsaking old traditions regularly without much regard.

The truth be told there seems to be no fixed protocol on five-six pointed badges. The five-point star has been preeminent from the beginning.

You see it in the star of the flag, the insignia of an army general and in the Metal of Honor. So it was obviously a logical choice for the first sheriff's badges.

squidoo.com/sheriffBadges webpage no longer exists


Response last updated by gtho4 on Jun 05 2021.
Jul 12 2010, 8:03 PM
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star_gazer star
Answer has 5 votes
Currently Best Answer
star_gazer star
23 year member
5236 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
The five pointed star is the symbol of the US Marshal's Service.

link http://www.usmarshals.gov/

In ancient times, the pentacle was used by sorcerers and believed to impart magical powers. As late as the sixteenth century, soldiers wore pentacles around their necks in the believe that they would protect them from enemy arrows. However, lawmen in early America used an area of pointed stars for their and their deputies' badges. They ranged from a basic policeman's shield to a nine pointed sunburst.

link https://www.quora.com/Heraldry-Why-do-many-police-forces-have-badges-that-feature-an-upside-down-star-usually-a-five-pointed-one

Response last updated by satguru on Dec 16 2016.
Jul 12 2010, 9:11 PM
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