The seal of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid

 

The seal of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid. There were several seals used by the Massachusetts Mutual Aid. As the organized developed the designs were modified to fit the symbolism of the service of the organization. The final seal was designed to include the basic purposes of the organizations mission; which was to provide public safety services throughout Massachusetts.

 

The seal of the New England Missing Persons Bureau

 

The seal of the New England Missing Persons Bureau symbolized the agency in the following manner. The obvious is the lettering on the outer edge with the name of the agency "New England Missing Persons Bureau". In side the seal are six stars; which, represent the six New England States; Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.  The scales of justice represents: finding the justice for the missing. The modern depiction of four people represents a family, one of which is in a different color or in just in an outline, representing a missing member of the family. The ribbon with Investigate, Locate and Rescue stands for; investigate the whereabouts of the missing person, locate where the missing person is and rescue them from harm. The seal was designed by hand by Chief Dana C. Preston and was only one color in its original design. Chief Preston later reproduced the seal in a full color rendition for the purpose of this site in 2008.

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Massachusetts Mutual Aid Badge

 

The Massachusetts Mutual had 4 styles of badges. The final badge was the badge style used by many Massachusetts state agencies including the State Police. The organization at the time was involved with providing emergency services and therefore the top 2 panels were inscribed with that. The lower ribbon was inscribed with the name of the organization. The center contained the stenciled badge number of the agent. These badges were manufactured by V.H Blackinton Co. in Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts.

 

New England Missing Persons Badge Badge

 

The badge was chosen for many reasons. The gold finish was chosen for the Bureau was formed as an elite organization in the field of missing persons and the gold would be the symbol of that stature. The shield design was chosen for it was noble in design and it symbolizes protection. With the Bald Eagle on the top represents our nation and strength. The leaves arched on each side represent peace. The sun burst pattern behind the panels represented the rays of the sun which would shed light on the mission at hand. Each badge had a distinctive number within the center panel that displayed the name of the agency. The top panel bared the title of "SPECIALIST" and was the title on all badges for all ranks. This was done for the reasons that since all members of the New England Missing Persons Bureau were first and foremost a Specialist in the field of missing persons. Rank was depicted in the form of title on their identification card or on a name plate that was worn. This badge was worn with great pride by the Specialists of the Bureau. These badges were manufactured by V.H Blackinton Co. in Attleboro Falls, Massachusetts.

 

In 1990 badge number 69 was stolen at the NEMPB Search command post in Kingston Massachusetts during a large scale search and rescue operation for Melissa Benoit. This was the only known badge taken or lost in the Bureau's history and was never recovered. If anyone ever finds this badge we would like it returned.