Badge Shapes and Their Meanings: Why Police Use Shields and Sheriffs Use Stars
The history and symbolism behind every law enforcement badge shape in America
Badge shapes aren’t random—they carry meaning rooted in centuries of tradition. Shields represent protection and trace back to medieval heraldry. Stars symbolize authority derived from the heavens and became associated with frontier law enforcement. Eagles represent federal authority and American patriotism. Understanding these shapes helps explain why police departments typically use shields while sheriff’s offices traditionally use stars.
Why Badge Shapes Matter
Walk up to any law enforcement officer in America and you can often tell their role before they say a word—just by the shape of their badge. A star usually means sheriff or deputy. A shield typically means municipal police. An eagle-topped badge often signals federal authority.
These distinctions aren’t accidents. They evolved over nearly two centuries of American law enforcement, drawing on symbolism that goes back even further to medieval Europe and ancient civilizations. Badge shapes communicate institutional identity, jurisdictional authority, and professional tradition at a glance.
For departments designing new badges or updating existing ones, understanding this history matters. A badge shape carries expectations. Using a star for a city police department or a shield for a sheriff’s office isn’t wrong, but it breaks with tradition in ways the public and other agencies will notice.
- Approximately 70% of U.S. sheriff’s offices use star-shaped badges
- Shield shapes dominate in roughly 65% of municipal police departments
- The 5-point star is most common for sheriffs; 6-point and 7-point also appear
- Eagle-top designs appear in 80%+ of federal law enforcement badges
Shield Badges: Protection and Municipal Authority
The shield is the most common badge shape for municipal police departments in America, and its symbolism is straightforward: protection. The shield has represented defense since ancient times, from Roman legionnaires to medieval knights. When early American police forces needed a visible symbol of their role, the shield was a natural choice.
Historical Origins
America’s first organized police force, the New York City Police Department, was established in 1845. The department adopted a copper shield-shaped badge—which is why police officers are sometimes called “cops” (short for “coppers”). This shield design drew directly from the heraldic traditions of Europe, where shields displayed family crests and institutional authority.
As other cities established police departments throughout the 1800s, many followed New York’s example. The shield became associated with urban, municipal policing—officers who served within city limits and reported to city government.
Shield Variations
Not all shields look alike. Common variations include:
- Traditional shield: Classic shape with curved top and pointed bottom (think NYPD)
- Eagle-top shield: Shield body with an eagle perched on top
- Sunburst shield: Shield with radiating points around the edges
- Panel shield: Shield divided into sections for different design elements
- Ornate shield: Decorative scrollwork and embellishments around the basic shield form
Who Uses Shield Badges
Shield badges are most commonly associated with:
- City and town police departments
- Transit and port authority police
- University and campus police
- Housing authority police
- Some state police agencies (varies by state)
The NYPD shield is so iconic that it’s influenced police badge design worldwide. When you see a shield-shaped badge anywhere in America—or even in other countries—there’s a good chance its design lineage traces back to that original 1845 New York copper badge.
Star Badges: The Symbol of the Sheriff
If shields represent urban policing, stars represent frontier justice. The star-shaped sheriff badge is one of the most recognizable symbols in American iconography, embedded in our cultural consciousness through countless Western films and TV shows.
Why Stars?
The star’s association with sheriffs has multiple origin theories:
The Texas Rangers theory: Some historians point to the Texas Rangers, formed in 1823, who wore star badges possibly influenced by the “Lone Star” of Texas. As Rangers and frontier lawmen spread westward, so did the star badge tradition.
The celestial authority theory: Stars have symbolized divine or celestial authority across cultures for millennia. A sheriff, as the chief law enforcement officer of a county (often covering vast rural territories), needed a symbol that conveyed supreme local authority. The star—associated with guidance, like the North Star—fit perfectly.
The practical theory: On the frontier, badges were sometimes made by local blacksmiths or tinsmiths. A star is one of the simplest shapes to cut from sheet metal with basic tools. Practicality may have driven early adoption.
Star Point Variations
The number of points on a star badge varies, and some jurisdictions attach specific meaning:
| Star Points | Common Associations | Notable Users |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Point | Most common; represents the “Lone Star” | Texas Rangers, many Western sheriffs |
| 6-Point | Star of David influence; balance and harmony | Los Angeles County Sheriff, Chicago PD |
| 7-Point | Each point represents a virtue or principle | California sheriffs, various state agencies |
The 7-point star is particularly common in California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, one of the largest sheriff’s offices in the country, uses a 6-point star and has influenced other agencies in the region.
Who Uses Star Badges
- County sheriff’s offices (majority)
- Deputy sheriffs and undersheriffs
- Some state police and highway patrol agencies
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Texas Rangers
Eagle-Top Badges: Federal Authority
When you see a badge topped with an eagle, you’re almost certainly looking at federal law enforcement. The bald eagle—America’s national bird since 1782—represents the authority of the federal government.
The Federal Eagle
Federal agencies almost universally incorporate the eagle into their badge designs. The eagle typically appears:
- Perched on top: Eagle sitting atop a shield or circular badge body
- Wings spread: Eagle with wings extended across the top of the badge
- Within the design: Eagle incorporated into the center seal or emblem
The FBI badge, for example, features an eagle with spread wings over a shield containing the scales of justice. The Secret Service badge shows an eagle atop a five-pointed star. These designs immediately communicate “federal authority” to anyone who sees them.
State and Local Eagle Usage
Eagles aren’t exclusively federal. Many state and local agencies incorporate eagles, particularly:
- State police agencies (often combining eagle with state seal)
- Departments in states where the eagle appears on the state seal
- Agencies wanting to convey strong patriotic symbolism
Oval and Circle Badges
Not all badges fit the shield-or-star dichotomy. Oval and circular badges have their own history and applications.
Oval Badges
Oval badges are common for:
- Detectives: Many departments use ovals for plainclothes investigators to distinguish them from uniformed officers
- Special units: Narcotics, vice, and other specialized divisions
- Certain federal agencies: Some federal badges use oval shapes
The oval shape is practical for wallet badges—it fits more comfortably in a billfold than a star with protruding points.
Circular Badges
True circular badges are less common but appear in specific contexts:
- Private security often uses circular designs to differentiate from law enforcement
- Some fire department badges use circular shapes
- Commemorative and special event badges
Wallet badges (the badge carried in a wallet or credentials case) are often a different shape than the duty badge worn on the uniform. A department might use shield-shaped duty badges but oval wallet badges. This is practical—oval wallet badges are more comfortable to carry—and traditional in many agencies.
Regional Variations Across America
Badge traditions vary significantly by region, shaped by local history and the agencies that first established law enforcement in each area.
The Northeast
Shield badges dominate in the Northeast, influenced by the NYPD tradition. Boston, Philadelphia, and other major cities use shield variations. State police agencies like the New York State Police and Massachusetts State Police also use shield-based designs.
The South
Stars are more prevalent in the South, reflecting the region’s historical connection to frontier traditions and the influence of Texas law enforcement. County sheriffs throughout the South typically wear star badges, though city police departments often use shields.
The West
The American West shows the strongest star tradition. California’s 7-point star is particularly distinctive. The legacy of frontier marshals, sheriffs, and Rangers created enduring associations between stars and Western law enforcement that continue today.
The Midwest
The Midwest shows mixed traditions. Chicago, influenced by Eastern patterns, uses a star (6-point) for its police department—an exception to the typical police-use-shields pattern. Illinois state agencies tend toward stars, while Indiana and Ohio show more shield usage.
Choosing a Shape for Your Department
If your agency is designing new badges, here are factors to consider:
Tradition and Expectations
- What shape has your agency historically used?
- What do similar agencies in your region use?
- Will the public expect a certain shape based on your agency type?
Practical Considerations
- Stars with sharp points can snag on fabric or scratch equipment
- Shields offer more surface area for complex designs and text
- Ovals work better for wallet/credentials case carry
Design Requirements
- How much text needs to fit on the badge?
- Is there a seal or emblem that needs to be prominently displayed?
- Do you need multiple badge variations (ranks, units) that should share a common shape?
Explore options using a badge design tool to visualize different shapes before committing to a direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Why do sheriffs use stars instead of shields?
The star tradition for sheriffs emerged from the American frontier, where the star symbolized the lone authority figure bringing order to vast territories. Texas Rangers and frontier marshals popularized the star, and as the sheriff system spread westward, the star went with it. The star also represents celestial guidance and supreme local authority—fitting for an elected county law enforcement officer.
❓ Can a police department use a star badge?
Yes, there’s no legal requirement dictating badge shapes. Chicago PD uses a 6-point star, for example. However, using a star for a city police department may create public confusion, as people associate stars with sheriffs. Most municipal departments stick with shields or shield variations to maintain clear visual distinction.
❓ What does a 7-point star badge mean?
In California and some other Western states, the 7 points of a sheriff’s star are said to represent seven qualities or ideals: character, courage, conscientiousness, courtesy, conviction, communication, and commitment. Other jurisdictions may assign different meanings. The Los Angeles County Sheriff uses a 6-point star with different traditional associations.
❓ Why do federal agents have eagles on their badges?
The bald eagle is America’s national symbol, appearing on the Great Seal of the United States since 1782. Federal law enforcement badges incorporate the eagle to immediately communicate that the bearer represents federal—not state or local—authority. It’s a visual shorthand that says “this person acts under the authority of the United States government.”
❓ What’s the difference between a badge and a shield?
“Badge” refers to any law enforcement credential worn or carried. “Shield” specifically describes the shape—badges shaped like medieval protective shields. So a shield is a type of badge, but not all badges are shields. Stars, ovals, and other shapes are badges but not shields. In casual usage, especially in the Northeast, “shield” is sometimes used as a synonym for badge regardless of shape.
- Shield badges symbolize protection and are traditional for municipal police departments
- Star badges represent frontier authority and are traditional for sheriffs and deputies
- Eagle-topped badges indicate federal authority
- Star points (5, 6, or 7) may carry specific meaning in different jurisdictions
- Regional traditions influence badge shape choices across America
- While not legally mandated, following shape traditions helps maintain clear visual identification
The Bottom Line
Badge shapes aren’t arbitrary design choices—they’re visual language developed over two centuries of American law enforcement. A shield says “I protect this city.” A star says “I keep order in this county.” An eagle says “I represent the federal government.”
Understanding this language helps departments make informed decisions when designing badges and helps the public understand who they’re dealing with at a glance. It’s tradition with purpose.
For more information on badge design and procurement, see our procurement guide or read about the differences between sheriffs and police.