HPD Honorably Retired Patch

Not too long ago, while thumbing through the Retired Houston Police Officer’s page, a photograph of an HPD Honorably Retired Patch appeared.  I was unaware that such a patch had ever been created.  Perhaps this was simply a ‘possibility’ of something that might become available.

I suggested that such a patch could be applied to a jacket, specifically an old Eisenhower styled wool jacket that was popular at one time.  I remember being lucky enough to have been given a ‘hand-me-down’ original “Ike”.  A senior patrol officer was retiring, and he wanted someone to continue enjoying it.  This was a dark blue jacket with light blue epaulets.  It came with the original large chrome “PDs” on the collars and chrome buttons.

Some years later, just by chance, a large box containing a slightly newer version of Ike jackets was discovered in the Uniform Supply Division.  It’s been quite a while since then, making my recollection of exactly how I obtained a second Ike jacket blurred.  I can’t remember if we had to pay anything for them; but I latched onto the brand-new jacket and was proud to be able to sport it during those months of the year when mildly cool nights made wearing a light jacket preferable to the standard issued winter coat.

As I recall, the Department wasn’t thrilled with the Ike jackets being worn; but didn’t make a big deal out of it since many officers took advantage of the opportunity.  That, and the fact that the Ike jackets looked so much better than anything else the Department had come up with, it was like having a ‘going to church’ uniform.

When it came time to retire, both of my Ike jackets were handed off to younger officers who considered themselves quite fortunate.  That was thirty years ago, my goodness, has it been that long ago?

So, where is this going now that I’ve brought you up to speed?

Why not make the Honorably Retired HPD patch available to all who have earned it?  Then take that to another level and come up with an updated version of the Ike jacket?  I’d recommend the jacket be a solid dark blue, to include dark blue epaulets.  The buttons might look better with the original chrome ‘clip from the back’ style; however, that’s just an option and standard buttons might be more cost effective.  Such a jacket could be worn to almost any function which normally would require a sports jacket or suit such as church meetings, special occasions, funerals or national holidays.

If someone in the uniform purchasing department put together an order for enough Ike jackets it would bring the price down.  In a perfect world the City/Department would recognize the service of their retired police officers and issue one of the afore mentioned jackets; but knowing the mindset of those controlling the money…no need considering that option.

How much would a new Ike jacket cost?  I haven’t a clue; maybe a hundred dollars, perhaps even less.  But the idea might be worth following up on.