In a move blending personal legacy with local history, St. Johns County Sheriff Hardwick has made his badge a piece of public memorabilia. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office shared on its Facebook page the transfer of the sheriff's badge to a historical exhibit in St. Augustine. Sheriff Hardwick's insignia now sits among relics in "From Past to Present: A Legacy of Leadership" at The Old Jail, a landmark drawing considerable annual foot traffic.
This ceremonial handover took place during a badge-pinning event on Friday, where Sheriff Hardwick's wife, Kendell, fixed a new badge onto his uniform marking the occasion of his older one's retirement. The exhibit aims to convey the evolution of law enforcement leadership in the county, tracing its roots back to the era of Sheriff C.J. Perry. While the Old Jail is no stranger to visitation, having entertained hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, the addition of Sheriff Hardwick's badge offers a tangible piece of the present law enforcement narrative, to the historical tapestry.
The Old Jail, built in 1891 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, houses artifacts and exhibits about its past occupants, the town’s history, and the county’s law enforcement. Visitors can see Sheriff Hardwick’s badge as part of the exhibits, connecting the history of law enforcement to the present.
The involvement of community leaders in curating the Old Jail helps link St. Johns County’s past with its current residents and officials.
