Vernon County Deputies Complete their Uniforms with the Campaign Hat

It is a common thing for children to be fascinated by some of the things a deputy carries on his or her belt, and most kids do not hesitate to ask what something is.

Last week, a small child that was in the office asked me why the deputies were wearing such funny looking hats. The deputy being scrutinized by the small child was wearing his campaign hat.

I gave the child a brief explanation telling him it was part of the uniform and helped the deputy to look more professional. The child did not like my explanation and said, "No, he just looks funny."

The origins of the hat can be traced to the 1840s, when army troops posted in the west took to wearing civilian hats because they were a little more practical than other hats most western armies were using. By WWI, the campaign hat was part of the American uniform. It was made of a soft material and had different color cords for different ranks. By the 1930s, they started making the hats more firm with a permanently hard brim, but by the 1940s, the hats were no longer issued generally.

Today some members of the military (like drill sergeants) still wear the campaign hat, but it can be found used more often by members of law enforcement. State police, park rangers, county sheriff's offices, and police departments often use the campaign hat as part of their regular uniform. Another famous character often seen wearing a campaign hat is Smokey the bear. Although Smokey the bear is not as popular among children today, some people still refer to the campaign hat as the "Smokey the bear hat." The hat, along with the uniform, became an icon of law enforcement and is something you will see more with Vernon County Sheriff's Deputies. Some Deputies with the Sheriff's Office have purchased and wear the hats, but not all members of the Sheriff's Office have them because of the cost. Recently a donation was made to the Sheriff's Office to help purchase the remaining deputies the hat to complete the uniform.

Some may not see any importance in what a deputy wears, but when a deputy gets dressed and puts on his or her uniform, he or she is representing the citizens of Vernon County, and an officer of justice and service. Dwight Eisenhower said, "When you put on a uniform, there are certain inhibitions that you accept." A deputy's own name becomes of little importance because to the world it will be Deputy; they will be the same as the ones who came before, and the ones who are still to come. They are not allowed to be afraid and must face whatever danger may come. They will wear their uniform with pride for those we serve.