History of the star

The emblem adopted by the National Fraternal Order of Police is designed to remind the membership of the duties that are expected of them as a citizen, a police officer and a member of the lodge. The five-cornered star tends to remind us of the allegiance we owe to our Flag and is a symbol of the authority with which we are entrusted. It is an honor the people we serve bestow upon us. They place their confidence and trust in us; serve them proudly.
Midway between the points and center of the star is a blue field representative of the thin blue line protecting those we serve. The points are of gold, which indicates the position under which we are now serving. The background is white, the unstained color representing the purity with which we should serve. We shall not let anything corrupt be injected into our order. Therefore, our colors are blue, gold and white.
The open eye is the eye of vigilance ever looking for danger and protecting all those under its care while they sleep or while awake. The clasped hands denote friendship. The hand of friendship is always extended to those in need of our comfort.
The circle surrounding the star midway indicates our never ending efforts to promote the welfare and advancement of this order. Within the half circle over the centerpiece is our motto, "Jus, Fidus, Libertatum" which translated means "Law Is a Safeguard of Freedom."

A Brief History of the Fraternal Order of Police

In 1915, the life of a policeman was bleak. In many communities they were forced to work 12 hour days, 365 days a year. Police officers didn't like it, but there was little they could do to change their working conditions. There were no organizations to make their voices heard; no other means to make their grievances known.
This soon changed, thanks to the courage and wisdom of two Pittsburgh patrol officers. Martin Toole and Delbert Nagle knew they must first organize police officers, like other labor interests, if they were to be successful in making life better for themselves and their fellow police officers. They and 21 others "who were willing to take a chance" met on May 14, 1915, and held the first meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police. They formed Fort Pitt Lodge #1. They decided on this name due to the anti-union sentiment of the time. However, there was no mistaking their intentions. As they told their city mayor, Joe Armstrong, the FOP would be the means "to bring our grievances before the Mayor or Council and have many things adjusted that we are unable to present in any other way...we could get many things through our legislature that our Council will not, or cannot give us."
And so it began, a tradition of police officers representing police officers. The Fraternal Order of Police was given life by two dedicated police officers determined to better their profession and those who choose to protect and serve our communities, our states, and our country. It was not long afterward that Mayor Armstrong was congratulating the Fraternal Order of Police for their "strong influence in the legislatures in various states,...their considerate and charitable efforts" on behalf of the officers in need and for the FOP's "efforts at increasing the public confidence toward the police to the benefit of the peace, as well as the public."
From that small beginning the Fraternal Order of Police began growing steadily. In 1917, the idea of a National Organization of Police Officers came about. Today, the tradition that was first envisioned over 90 years ago lives on with more than 2,100 local lodges and more than 325,000 members in the United States. The Fraternal Order of Police has become the largest professional police organization in the country. The FOP continues to grow because we have been true to the tradition and continued to build on it. The Fraternal Order of Police are proud professionals working on behalf of law enforcement officers from all ranks and levels of government.

Frederick County Deputy Sheriff’s Lodge 102

On October 12, 1985, the Frederick County Lodge 102 of the Fraternal Order of Police was born. With humble beginnings, the lodge was founded by twenty three members who elected a governing body from amidst their spare ranks.
We thank the following founding members for their loyalty to the badge and for their foresight:
Original Executive Board:
Original Members:
  • President- Jeffrey Pauley
  • Vice President – Chester Clagett
  • Secretary – Leslie Lehmann
  • Treasurer – Catriona Baker
  • Guard – Richard Gray
  • Director – Donald Holloway
  • Director – Edward Lookingbill
  • Director – James Trail
  • State Trustee – Ralph Berger
  • Fred Anderson
  • Donald Barns Jr.
  • George Breed Jr.
  • Allison Chapman
  • Michael Clagett
  • David Doxzen
  • Gregory Eyler
  • Randall Freyse
  • Clarence Lust
  • Kirby Maybush
  • Glen Selby Jr.
  • John Smith Jr.
  • Brian Williar
Deputies Form Own FOP Lodge
​Feeling it's time to look out for their needs, members of the Frederick County Sheriff's Department have formed a Fraternal Order of Police lodge...
"We felt we could be better represent ourselves," said Jeff Pauley, president of Frederick County FOP Lodge #102.
Heretofore, some of the deputies were members of FOP Lodge # 91, which is comprised mostly of Frederick City Police officers.
"We were not dissatisfied or anything like that," Pauley said, "We just felt it was time we organized so we can look after our concerns."
Although there are no particular problems identified at the present time, Pauley said "there is always room for improvement."
"Basically, we want to look out for the best interest of the rank and file officers," he explained.
Pauley sees law enforcement growing in Frederick County in the near future + regardless whether it's a county police force or an expanded sheriff's department.
The first official meeting of the FOP will be held Tuesday night at the Maryland National Guard Armory.
Pauley said while the organization will conduct fund raisers from time to time, it will not solicit funds for anything over the telephone.
"We don't like it. It's a burden for the public," he said.
The new FOP lodge may be open to officers from the municipal forces in Brunswick, Thurmont and Emmitsburg, Pauley added.
Other officers of Frederick County FOP Lodge # 102 are Chet Clagett,  vice president;   Leslie Lehmann, secretary;  Catriona Baker,  treasurer;  Dick Gray,  guard and conductor and Austin Pohl,  chaplain. Directors are Don Holloway, Melvin Trail and Ed Lookingbill.
Susan C. Nicol