Why is a marshal or sheriff's badge traditionally a five-pointed star but a deputy's six-pointed?

serpa

I just checked the photos of several sheriffs from different counties in California. All of them have seven points. Here's a photo of one: http://www.co.sisqjustice.ca.us/Sheriff/sheriff.htm Jul 12 10, 7:11 PM

Zbeckabee

It just isn't true that sheriffs always wore five-pointed stars and their deputies six-pointed ones. Early American lawmen forged a new tradition of forsaking old traditions regularly without much regard. The truth be told there seems to be no fixed protocol on five-six pointed badges. The five-point star has been preeminent from the beginning. You see it in the star of the flag, the insignia of an army general and in the Metal of Honor. So it was obviously a logical choice for the first sheriff's badges. http://www.squidoo.com/sheriffBadges Jul 12 10, 8:03 PM

star_gazer

The five pointed star is the symbol of the US Marshal's Service. http://www.usmarshals.gov/ In ancient times, the pentacle was used by sorcerers and believed to impart magical powers. As late as the sixteenth century, soldiers wore pentacles around their necks in the believe that they would protect them from enemy arrows. However, lawmen in early America used an area of pointed stars for their and their deputies' badges. They ranged from a basic policeman's shield to a nine pointed sunburst. http://www.getyourkeywords.com/badge+history+police Jul 12 10, 9:11 PM