Marysville students design police badge

Sgt. Larry Buell puffed his chest when he was pinned by his family.

For men and women, that prestigious moment of becoming a police officer is something to remember their entire life.

Twelve years ago, the former Marysville-Pilchuck High School teacher became a Marysville police officer and proudly accepted his uniform badge.

Now his badge is tucked away, because officers for the city of Marysville are wearing new badges this year.

As Sgt. Buell said, when inmates notice you are wearing a new badge, it must be making an impact.

When Chief Rick Smith came on board in March 2007, he spoke with the Marysville Police Officers Association and they agreed the 15-year-old badge needed a makeover.

"As the most widely recognized symbol of police authority and public trust, the badge is a source of pride for the dedicated Marysville officers," said Doug Buell, public information officer for the city, and no relation to Larry Buell. "The redesign project carried much importance."

Sgt. Buell took over the project, gathering information from other officers, and it was no easy task.

Research was extensive, looking at different professional designs and badge shapes.

Did they want an oval badge, a round badge, a silver badge?

The basic idea was taken to computer graphics students at Marysville Arts and Technology High School.

"The students did an outstanding job using their skills and our concepts to create a badge," Sgt. Buell said. "They really came through for us."

Several students in computer graphics combined ideas for the shield, said teacher Michele Liburdy.

"Often work in design studios is a collaborative effort, as they found out," Liburdy said. "The officer we worked with was very helpful and the kids enjoyed the opportunity to do a real job."

Sgt. Buell completed the task.

"I worked on the finishing details," he said. "To get it down to what we were looking for."

The new shield features an eagle soaring against a backdrop of mountains and trees, with the sky filled by a streak of rays from a dawning sun emerging from behind mountaintops.

There are different badges for different ranks, with the upper echelon wearing all-gold models.

"I see the symbols associated with service and commitment to community," Sgt. Buell said. "The eagle is a strong and lasting symbol drawn to hover over us all, in a protective, watchful way."

Officers were able to buy their old badges for $30 each. Buell, Marysville's 2004 Officer of the Year, said he will probably put his old badge in a shadow box to display.

"A badge to me shows a pride in professionalism," Sgt. Buell said. "Accountability comes with it."



Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.