At Irvin H. Hahn, we take great pride in crafting high-quality police badges, including custom police badges, for law enforcement officers across the country. We know that an officer’s badge is a symbol of their commitment, a display of their loyalty, and a cherished item that represents pride in serving the community.
When an officer retires, their retirement badge serves as a symbol of their years of service. It is a way to honor not only honor an officer but their sacrifices and their ongoing dedication. When you have spent decades with an agency, you want to honor that time.
Police insignia and retirement badges are symbols for the officers in your life. They help honor all that an officer has done. Learn more about different police insignia and how a retirement badge serves as a long-lasting tribute to serving in the line of duty and retiring with pride.
What is a Police Badge
A police badge is more than a piece of metal. It represents authority, service, and dedication. When a police officer receives their badge, it shows that they have taken an oath to protect their community. Community members know that a law enforcement officer wearing an authorized badge is someone they can trust. It symbolizes safety and a promise to protect.
Officers wear their badges proudly to show that they are trusted by the public to keep people safe and enforce the law. Every state and department has its own badge style, so a Maryland police badge might look a little different from a Pennsylvania police badge, but they all carry the same powerful message: to serve and protect.

The Emotional Connection to a Police Badge
For many officers, a badge represents more than just a job. It’s a symbol of their life’s work, the risks they’ve taken, and the people they’ve protected. Whether it’s an active badge or a retired police badge, the meaning is personal and deep. A badge that is proudly worn shows pride in the service.
A badge connects officers to their communities. It shows trust, honor, and respect. At Irvin H. Hahn, we understand how important that connection is. When we create a custom police badge, we’re not just making something for a uniform; we’re crafting a symbol of pride and dedication.
What Happens to a Police Badge When an Officer Retires
When a police officer retires, they don’t just leave their career behind. They carry with them years of experience, dedication, and memories. A retired police badge is a symbol of all that hard work. It reminds the officers (and others) of the years they spent serving the community.
Many retired officers keep their badges as a keepsake, often displaying them at home. Some may have their badges mounted or turned into commemorative items like plaques or shadow boxes. These commemorative boxes honor all the hard work done over decades of service.
Retired officers may also choose to order a retired police badge that has “retired” engraved permanently on the badge. These badges can still be worn, carried, and displayed. Retirement police badges allow officers to continue to carry their symbol of sacrifice with them and let other community members know that even though they are retired, they are dedicated to safety and they are someone the public can trust.

The Meaning Behind Police Insignia
Police insignia can include pins or medals and are other ways to honor officers in your life. Like a police badge, these items represent important aspects of an officer’s service. Pins and medals represent bravery, longevity, and other achievements. Each police insignia carries its own meaning and tells a story about the officer’s journey in law enforcement.
These symbols help officers and their families remember important moments and milestones in their careers. It is important to memorialize special moments of sacrifice and achievement and celebrate all the hard work an officer has given. Insignia honors that member of the agency and allows them to display where their journey has taken them through their career.
Custom Police Badges: A Personal Touch
Custom police badges add a personal touch for the officer in your life. Whether it’s for a current officer, a retired one, or someone who just wants a special keepsake, a custom badge can go above and beyond to honor a person who has made tremendous sacrifices.
Custom badges allow you to customize the badge’s design, add text, or even choose a specific type of metal. If you’re looking for a custom badge online, it’s important to work with trusted police badge makers like Irvin H. Hahn. We ensure that every badge we create is of the highest quality.

How to Preserve and Display Police Badges and Insignia
Preserving a police badge or other police insignia is important, especially if it’s a retired officer’s badge. There are many ways to display these items, such as in shadow boxes, commemorative boxes, or glass cases. This keeps the badge safe while also allowing the officer and their family to show it off proudly.
For police badges not in storage, you want to gently cleanse the badge with a soft cloth and no harsh cleaners. When not in use, storing it in a box away from dust can further protect the badge from undue wear, ie moisture in the air. Some warm soapy water can be applied for an extra shine when needed.
Police Badge Makers: Crafting More Than Metal
At Irvin H. Hahn, we don’t just make badges. We help create memories. For more than 100 years, we’ve been crafting high-quality law enforcement badges that reflect the dedication and service of officers across the nation. Every badge we make, whether for an active officer or a retired one, is crafted with care and precision.
We take special pride in creating badges for departments across the country, from custom police badges for officers in Maryland to police badges for departments in Pennsylvania. Each badge we create tells a story, and we’re honored to be part of that tradition.
When you order from us, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best materials, expert craftsmanship, and a badge that will last for generations. We are proud to serve those who serve our communities.

Order Your Custom Commemorative Retirement Badge Today
A police badge, especially a retired one, holds great meaning and significance. It represents an officer’s years of service, dedication, and commitment to keeping people safe. At Irvin H. Hahn, we understand that value, and we’re proud to be the police badge makers trusted by law enforcement officers across the country. If you’re looking for custom badges online or need a special police badge for sale, we’ve got you covered with quality and care.
We’ve been creating law enforcement badges for over a century. We know the importance of precision and quality in every badge we craft. Whether you need a custom police badge for a new officer or a commemorative badge for a retired one, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do retired police officers get to keep their badges?
Yes, in most cases, retired officers are allowed to keep a version of their badge. Often, a “retired” banner is added to the design to show that the officer is no longer active. Officers may still carry a “retired” police badge if “retired” has been permanently engraved on the design.
How long does it take to make a custom police badge?
The time it takes to create a custom police badge depends on the design and customization options. Typically, it can take several weeks to complete a high-quality badge. Email us for a consult for an exact quote on your next custom badge.
Can anyone order a custom police badge online?
While you can browse police badges online, you typically need to provide proof of your association with law enforcement to order an official police badge. However, commemorative or honorary badges are available for civilians.
Irvin H. Hahn
We are a family-owned business that takes pride in being an American manufacturer for over 120 years since 1898. Located in Baltimore, MD, we have six generations of experience making handcrafted badges, buckles, cap devices, collar insignia, and other insignia for law enforcement, fire departments, and other officials.
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