The Fairfax County Emergency Services Patch Collection, c.1940-c.2000

Access and use

Location of collection:
Fairfax County Public Library
Fairfax County Public Library
City of Fairfax Regional Library
Virginia Room
10360 North Street
Fairfax, VA 22030-2514
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Chris Barbuschak
Phone: (703) 293-2142
Phone: (703) 293-6227 ext. 6 (Virginia Room)
Fax: (703) 293-2155

Summary

Extent:
0.25 linear feet
Creator:
Conley, Brian A. (1964- )
Abstract:
The Fairfax County Emergency Services Patch Collection consists of 0.25 linear feet and spans the years c.1940 - c.2000.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Fairfax County Emergency Services Patch Collection consists of 0.25 linear feet, spans the years c.1940 - c.2000 and features various patches used by the Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, City of Fairfax Police Department, Town of Herndon Police Department, Town of Vienna Police Department, Fairfax County Park Authority, and George Mason University Campus Police.

Biographical / historical:

The earliest documentation of Fairfax County police officers using patches dates to 1940. When the Fairfax County Police Department became a stand-alone agency on July 1, 1940, officers began wearing a triangle-shaped patch on their outer jackets. By the mid-1940s, officers started wearing this patch on their uniform shirts. The police department subsequently issued a variety of patches over the years including unit produced patches. The present patch worn by police officers dates to 1963 of which several iterations have been issued over the years. The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, Fairfax County Park Authority, Sheriff’s Office, City of Fairfax, Town of Herndon, and Town of Vienna have also issued patches for their public safety officers throughout their history.

Acquisition information:
Collection assembled by former Virginia Room librarian and historian Brian A. Conley. Gifted July 2019.