What Was That Badge Herschel Walker Flashed in His Debate?

Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate in Georgia's pivotal Senate race, drew some head scratches when he brandished an "Honorary Sheriff's Badge" during a debate.

Walker responded to the accusations that he had misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer and had previously threatened to commit acts of violence.

New scrutiny was given to his credentials and relationships with law enforcement agencies as a result of his flaunting of the Honorary Badge, a recognition not unusual for celebrities to receive.

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After saying that Walker has a problem with the truth, the moment happened.

"I have never pretended to be a police officer, and I have never threatened a gunfight with police," he said. Walker said he had worked with police officers.

Will Kiley, his campaign spokesman, said that the Badge was given to him because of his community service work. Walker's hometown of Wrightsville is included in the Johnson County Sheriff's Department's database. The representatives for the sheriff's departments were not available for comment.

Tina Tyus-Shaw, who moderated the debate, admonished Walker after he brandished the Badge and asked him to put it away. She said that he was aware of the debate's rules.

Walker said it wasn't a prop. This is true. The badge he presented on the debate stage was not an authentic one that a trained sheriff would carry. The idea of a prop is likely to be attached to different meanings by the two people. She said that items used for demonstrations were not allowed, but she didn't refer to the validity of the badge.

Athletes are often recognized by law enforcement. Wilkins was named a special deputy by the county.

Wilkins did not have the same authority as a deputy sheriff to carry a weapon and arrest people when he was sworn in, according to a sheriff's spokesman. He was a liaison and partner, she said.

A member of the NBA Hall of Fame was given the title of director for community relations by the Henry County Sheriff's Office.

In July, Neil Warren endorsed his Senate bid.

In a statement at the time, Warren said that Walker was a partner with the sheriff's office for over 15 years and "led trainings on leadership, advocated for mental health, and was always there to lend a hand whenever we needed him."

Many people are skeptical about the kind of recognition given by law enforcement.

J.Tom Morgan, a former district attorney in Georgia who was elected as a Democrat, said that Georgia sheriffs handed out badges like candy. You can't be a law enforcement officer. He doesn't have the power to issue a ticket.

The Georgia Sheriffs' Association stopped giving out badges because they became so popular that they were abused.

He said that if someone got stopped for speeding, they would whip out one of the badges. There were people charged with pretending to be a cop.

The executive director of the Georgia Sheriffs' Association said in an email Saturday that the credentials are not regulated by state law.

There is no arrest authority associated with the qualifications.

Walker exaggerated his work in the past. He told soldiers at Joint Base Lewis- Mchord that he was an FBI agent. He has claimed in campaign speeches that he worked for law enforcement, but he did not.

In Georgia, the role of sheriff is an elected office and there can be rewards for both the donors and recipients.

According to the National Sheriffs' Association, there are no guidelines for the use and appearance of honorary badges.

Pat Royal, a spokesman for the National Sheriffs' Association, said in an email Saturday that an "Honorary Badge is for the trophy case" Royal said that he was referring to the badges as a whole.

Walker received a lot of mockery online during the debate.

George Takei, an actor known for his role on "Star Trek," said that he sometimes pulls out his Star Fleet Badge to get past security at Star Trek conferences.

He defended Walker.

He was made an "honorary deputy sheriff" in Georgia and spent 15 years helping the sheriff's department with mental health issues. I know facts don't matter on the social networking site.

The picture of Walker waving his badges during the debate reminded me of Elvis Presley. During a meeting in 1970, Presley asked for a federal narcotics agency Badge. In her memoir, "Elvis and Me," Presley talked about the badge's appeal.

Presley wrote that the narc badges represented ultimate power to him.

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