Why are there five badges for the four Newhall officers? Many years after the tragic event of April 5, 1970, Nikki Frago, surviving spouse of Walter Frago, met two CHP officers from the Fresno area at a charity event. In their conversation, she mentioned that she never received Walter Frago’s badge after his death. Later, the two CHP officers made an attempt to locate the original badge, but it had been lost. They then took an extra step. They obtained permission from the CHP and contacted Sun Badge Company to obtain a replacement and presented it to Ms. Frago. She kept and cherished this badge and, when the CHP Museum gathered items for the display to commemorate the four Newhall officers, she donated it so it could be seen by all. In assembling the display, it was noticed that the badge number was different than the one on the official portrait. The California Association of Highway Patrolmen then contacted Sun Badge Company and that company generously donated the four replacement badges you see here today that accurately reflect the true badge numbers. Twice, CHP Officers stepped up to honor the memories of the officers who gave their lives protecting the state on that unforgettable night.
Perhaps the most important indicator of a CHP Officer”s identity is his or her badge number. Badges are issued sequentially and, once a badge is issued, that number is never reissued. It is a unique number associated with that officer. When an officer leaves the patrol for whatever reason, the badge number is retired. Low numbers indicate more seniority and seniority not only matters in transfers, vacation availability, and shift assignments, it is also an indicator of experience. See the CHP Museum badge display for more information.
