Object of the Week

Police Badge 1890-1930

May is also national police month! This sheriff’s badge was used by Sheriff  George Rhyne here in Gaston County between 1890-1930.

According to the donor, Sheriff Rhyne only lost one election.  This was when the "republicans" took over the county.  During the lapse of being a county sheriff, George became a U.S. Marshall and served as a "revenuer" in the North Carolina mountains.  Marshall Rhyne was shot once by a moonshiner, but the bullet hit his Marshall’s badge and saved his life.

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