Created in 1887 and organized in 1890, Sutton County is located in south-central Texas with the county seat of Sonora. This very desirable sheriffs badge is inscribed "J.L. DAVIS/SHERIFF/SUTTON COUNTY" and is in the rare form of a seven-pointed star, with each point having ornate floral designs. James L. Davis was born in 1855 in Elgin City, Texas to a farm family. At age 19 in 1874, Davis joined the newly formed Texas Rangers and served in Company D of the Frontier Battalion. This was during the post-reconstruction period when the urgent need for law enforcement was spurring a resurgence of the Rangers which had been whittled away during the Civil War and after. The Frontier Battalions saw significant action in the lawless areas along the Mexican border during the period. In the 1890s Davis moved his family to Sonora in Sutton County, Texas and by 1892 was serving as a Sutton County deputy sheriff. On 2 April 1901, the notorious outlaw Will Carver, a member of Butch Cassidy's "Wild Bunch" gang, was shot and killed by Sutton County deputies, including Davis. The sheriff had been warned of Carver's arrival, who came with an accomplice to scout the bank in Sonora, which they planned to rob. The sheriff, Davis, another deputy, and the town constable all went to apprehend the two with guns drawn. After a shout of "hands up!", Will Carver drew his gun and the lawmen opened fire. Both Carver and his accomplice were killed. In 1902, Davis was elected Sutton County Sheriff and went on to serve two terms, after which he retired and operated a ranch near Sonora. In July 1914, while visiting Mineral Wells, Texas, a large fire broke out involving many buildings. Davis attempted to help, having been previously a volunteer fireman. He was overcome by smoke and heat exhaustion and died not long after at the age of 59. Included with the badge is a binder of extensive research about J.L. Davis, Will Carver, and others, as well as photographs. Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection

Very fine, the badge shows a mostly bright, attractive, lightly aged patina with crisp designs and engraving. A real tangible piece of Texas lawman history documented to a Texas Ranger and County sheriff!