F rom its beginnings in 1856, San Mateo County struggled with lawlessness. Even its original election to form the County was blatantly rigged. Because the County was rural, San Franciscans found it a place easily exploited for illegal activities. Famous duels were fought here in its earliest days. At the start of the twentieth century, prize fighting was popular in north county.

The entire Peninsula suffered through criminal bootlegging during Prohibition, and gambling became a serious problem in the 1930s through the 1940s, giving the County the reputation as the most corrupt in California.

After World War II, new waves of suburban residents insisted upon change and found leaders in law enforcement to clean-up the County.

This exhibit features a memorial to the Fallen Officers of San Mateo County and the famous Walter Moore Badge Collection.

Fallen Officers of San Mateo County

The Fallen Officers Memorial Kiosk features photographs and biographies of the 27 local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty from 1888 to 2006. The list of the 27 officers include seven members of the CA Highway Patrol, five members of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, one California State park ranger and 14 police officers from 10 different police departments in the county. They all gave their lives protecting their communities.

Walter Moore Badge Collection

From an old Pescadero family, Walter Moore became a deputy sheriff in 1939 and served as a bailiff in Courtroom A.  In 1943, he was appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff.  During his career, Moore collected law enforcement badges from all over the country.  Among the rarest badges in his collection were those worn by constables in the county’s Ocean Shore Railroad, 1907-1920.