PCNEWS Mar-Apr 2020
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Volume 38-Number 2 March-April 2020 Issue Number 75 Porky Show: Not Just For Californians Collectors from as far away as Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada and New Jersey descended upon Claremont, Calif. for the annual “Porky” Police and Fire Memorabilia Show on January 18. Five hundred forty-two collectors attended the event at Taylor Hall. It raised $5000 for the Claremont Police Explorers. By Arthur Fox, Guest Writer Federal and California collector Ray Sherrard showed his one-of-a-kind original badges used during CLAREMONT, Calif. – The timing was perfect. The production of the hit television series Dragnet. The real LAPD badges were carried by Jack Webb, who played snow was falling in Colorado. With more snow on the Sergeant Joe Friday, and Harry Morgan, who played Offi cer Bill Gannon. The show was perhaps the most way, I mentioned to my wife, Brenda, “Let’s head to sunny California for a week.” The next day we began our 800 mile popular law enforcement television series of all-time. Art Fox photograph trek to California. Our fi rst stop was Mesquite, Nev., a great place for food and sterling silver. When “Porky” opened to the public, it took only a very and lodging at the Virgin River Resort. While checking in, I Shortly thereafter, Al Mize arrived, followed by Carol short time before the hall fi lled with enthusiastic collectors saw one of the local police offi cers and decided to ask her Lynch, the widow of the late legendary badge collector Pat searching for that perfect police or fi re collectible. if she had an extra Mesquite patch that I might have. She Lynch. They, too, brought excellent badges for sale. For some it was patches. There were boxes piled high was very accommodating and gave me a formerly worn It wasn’t long before the wheeling and dealing began. with them. current patch. While the dealing was going on, I asked each participant if I Those searching for a unique or very historical badge From Mesquite, we headed to the Double Tree Hotel in could take a few photos. They all graciously said yes. could fi nd them. Claremont, Calif., the host hotel for the ‘Porky” Police and I think Mize and Greiner might have set a world record I saw an ultra rare,second issue Los Angeles Police Fire Memorabilia Show. for their tenacious skills in the art of the deal. I left and Department detective badge being off ered for well over Upon arrival on Friday, I called an old friend to see if returned several times during this shrewd display of skill, $10,000. he wanted to meet in the lobby for a little show and tell. which ended about six and one-half hours later with a deal Those looking for something that was used in a law New Jersey collector Chip Greiner joined me and brought that scored Greiner a beautiful gold-toned United States enforcement television series or movie, seasoned collector several cases of badges. He made the cross-country trip Indian Service badge and Mize some of the most desirable Ray Sherrard had some great memorabilia on his table. and arrived in Claremont on Thursday. railroad badges one could ever hope to acquire. Co-host Ryan Bertalotto was on hand and gave Greiner told me it was his fi rst “Porky” show. Not only Early on Saturday morning at Taylor Hall, the site of attendees an update on the 2020 National Police Collectors did he bring excellent railroad badges to sell and trade, he “Porky,” tableholders began to arrive and bring their wares. show which will be held in Reno, Nev. He informed also brought a rare gold-toned and dated captain badge This year was a little diff erent for the Claremont Police everyone the show is already sold out. He and his co-hosts from the Pinkerton Detective Agency in Chicago. Explorer Post. All proceeds from the show still go to are trying to see if there is any way to add more tables and While Greiner and I were looking over his badges, Jim support the post, but the police offi cer overseeing the suggests interested collectors get on their waiting list. Casey arrived in the lobby with an excellent collection of Explorers has changed. Offi cer Chariya Chilson now Talk about sold out!. The “Porky” Web site already very rare badges, some of which were made of solid gold mentors the group. shows all 104 tables for the 2021 show are sold out. Chip Greiner fl ew in from New Jersey to see what the “Porky” rage is all about. He Ryan Bertalotto is a co-host of the 2020 National Police Collectors Show. He brought numerous great badges, including this gold tone special offi cer badge from attended the “Porky” show and updated attendees on the event, which will be the United States Indian Service, forerunner to the Bureau of Indian Aff aris. It shows held in early October. Bertalotto said every table has sold but a waiting list is a Native American in the center design. Art Fox photograph now being maintained. Art Fox photograph Page 2 POLICE COLLECTORS NEWS March-April 2020 Al Mize, a veteran California collector, shows off two highly desirable badges. The (Left to right, top to bottom) A fabulous old six-point star for a Fresno U.S. Marshal badge (left) is a cutout star and was made by Lamb and Tilden. It’s a County, Calif. deputy. A beautiful Pinkerton’s Protective Patrol shield shown classic example of a classic USMS badge. On the right is a vintage deputy marshal by Chip Greiner. Al Mize featured a very old and rare Oklahoma City police badge from Albany, Calif. Art Fox photograph shield. A very old railroad police detective badge. Art Fox photograph Peter Harris went home with the second place award. after each show. “Porky” Show ...Continued Andrew Gonzales won the top honors among badge collectors with the “Best Badge” display. Michael DeVilbiss While at “Porky,” it is not diffi cult to meet very received the second place award. Clearwater, Fla. impressive individuals who have dedicated their lives to law “Best in Show” went to California collector Stan Berry. enforcement. However, it is rare to fi nd people who have Congratulations to all the winners and participants for The 2020 Florida Gulf Coast Police and Fire Badge and had more stellar careers than Marcel Jojola. making “Porky” such a great success. Patch Collectors Show will be Sat., Mar. 28 from 8 am to 2 I met Jojola at “Porky” several years ago and purchased ARTHUR FOX (PO Box 1394, Montrose CO 81402) pm at the Greenbrair Club House, 2013 Greenbriar Blvd., a nice patch from him. Clearwater, Fla. John Radcliff e will host it. I noticed Jojola had a few helping hands at his table this Free admission. year. I was introduced to his daughter, Dawn Bradley, and Eight-foot tables are $20 each. Setup for tableholders is her daughters, Raven and Jade. He told me his daughter 7 am. and granddaughters are going to carry on with his law Swap Please confi rm table reservations by mailing payment to enforcement collection. This is good news for the health of John Radcliff e, 1025 McLean St., Dunedin FL 34698. the hobby. For further information, contact the host on (727) 733- Jojola has the distinction of being one of the youngest Meet 5076 (home), (727) 900-3661 (cell) or johndrjr52@verizon. police chiefs ever in California. He was only 28 years net. old when he assumed command of the Rio Dell Police Department. Upon leaving Rio Dell, Jojola became chief of police in Calendar Detroit, Mich. Calexico. He also held several other police chef positions in California before he retired. © 2020 Police Insignia The 36th Annual Detroit Area Police and Fire Collectors Jojola then took police chief jobs in New Mexico and Collectors Association Show and Exhibit will be Sat., Apr. 4 from 9 am to 3 pm at Mississippi. the UFCW Union Hall, 876 Horrace Brown Dr., Madison During his 42-year law enforcement career, he was a SPECIAL – These are the latest police insignia show Heights, Mich. Dave Loar, Mike Duvall, Todd Hansen and police chief for 30 years! and swap meet announcements. Bill Pace are the hosts. I talked with Dennis Smith, a “Porky’” co-host. He said Collectors interested in attending these events should Admission is $5. Children under 12 will be admitted free. this show brought in 542 attendees, close if not a record for contact the sponsors at the addresses or telephone One hundred twenty eight-foot tables are available for the show, which translated to more than $5000 donated to numbers listed for additional information, such as $25 each and must be paid for in advance. Setup begins the Explorer post. driving directions, table availability, hotel or motel at 7 am. Payment should be made to Dave Loar by check, As in the past, Smith and co-host Nick Cardaras, along accommodations, handicapped accessibility, parking or money order or Pay Pal. with Offi cer Chilson and the Explorer cadets, did a great job possible last-minute changes and/or cancellations. There will be hourly door prizes, display awards and a keeping everyone in attendance well feed and happy. Show sponsors provide “Swap Meet Calendar” listings. patch drop drawing. At the end of the show, Smith served as master of We are not responsible for changes after we go to press, This is a closed show. Only known collectors or public ceremonies for the display awards presentation, while nor are we liable for errors or omissions.