Depicts a sheriff’s star, representing the community served by law enforcement officers and the important role they play.

One of the best-known badges is the typically star-shaped U.S. sheriff's badge, made famous in Westerns. Badges are usually constructed out of metal with an enamel finish in either a gold and/or silver. As a general rule, the badges issued by county sheriff's offices take the form of a five, six, or seven-pointed star, while municipal police have shield-like designs. Following the death of a police officer, other officers will typically cover their badges with a black mourning band.

Engraver: John P. McGraw
Designer: Ronald D. Sanders

Depicts an eye in a magnifying glass poised over a fingerprint. It also features the emblem of the National Law Enforcement Museum.

A fingerprint is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. The recovery of partial fingerprints from a crime scene is an important method of forensic science. Fingerprint identification, known as dactyloscopy, or handprint identification, is the process of comparing two instances of friction ridge skin impressions to determine whether these impressions could have come from the same individual.

Engraver: Renata Gordon
Designer: Heidi Wastweet