Washington County, WI Presentation Badges

I have collected badges for almost 40 years so when I run across something that I have never seen before I just have to share it. These are the sheriff’s badges from Washington County, Wisconsin. While deputy sheriff’s badges are fairly easy to find, the sheriff’s badges are much harder. So these two sitting in an antique mall instantly caught my eye. The actual sheriff’s badge is interesting enough but the other gold faced presentation badge is unlike any badge that I have ever seen. The back is engraved with twelve names, one of which is a woman with the title of Mrs. I assume these must be the names of the entire department! The design of the badges would date them from the 1920’s into the 1930’s based on similar dated badges by the same maker from neighboring Milwaukee. Now if I remain lucky I may be able to find some rosters which will prove my assumption to be correct.