Orange County Sheriff's Museum
& Education Center

Established 2004 in Orange County, California
"Preserving the Past―Preserving the Future"

 

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John Wayne


John Wayne was a resident of Orange County and was a great friend of its Sheriff's Department. He also was an iconic old-time Western film lawman, and so on January 29, 1968, Sheriff James A. Musick designated "Duke" Wayne as "Deputy Sheriff No. 1"—probably with limited "special deputy" status, although the accompanying certificate allowed him full deputy sheriff powers. When the Department realized that there was no genuine Deputy Number 1 in the badge numbering system, it had one made up. Today, this John Wayne caricature adorns every Orange County Sheriff's Department Air Support Helicopter—each 'copter named "Duke I," "Duke II," etc. And where are the helicopters headquartered? At John Wayne Airport, of course!

 

 

 
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Orange County Sheriff's Museum & Education Center - Orange County - California - USA

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3/2/12