The Earp brothers Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan, backed by Dentist-Gunman Doc Holliday had just killed three men in what would become the most historic gunfight of the American West, the Gunfight at the OK Corral. Minutes earlier Sheriff Behan had tried to stop the Earps on their way to the OK Corral, but he was brushed aside by Wyatt Earp.

Tombstone, Arizona Territory, in 1881, deserved it’s reputation. Virtual open warfare between the Earps, representing law and order and organized gangs called, “Cowboys,” usually protected by Sheriff Behan, would ultimately lead to the deadly OK Corral showdown.

Cochise County’s first sheriff, Johnny Behan, was an integral part of this conflict and, many historians say, orchestrated the conflict between the Earps and the cowboys from the beginning. The bitter and deadly feud between Earp and Behan was further exacerbated by the fact that both these strong willed and dangerous men courted the same girl, one Josephine Marcus. “Josie” was a beautiful 18 year old when Behan moved her from her native San Francisco to Tombstone in 1881. They lived together and Josie became Behan’s common law wife. When Behan and an unhappy Josie separated, she moved in with Wyatt Earp and stayed with him until his death in 1929.

Behan was a Democratic politician and lawman in the Arizona Territory for many years. He served in the Territorial Legislature in 1873 and 1877. He was later elected Sheriff of Yavapai County. In 1881, he was appointed Sheriff of the newly formed Cochise County by Territorial Governor John Fremont. Later he served as Superintendent of the infamous Arizona Territorial Prison at Yuma.

Behan’s legacy continues today fueled by a beautiful badge that has been attributed to him during his tenure as sheriff in Tombstone. This badge is engraved COCHISE CO. SHERIFF on the face and John Behan’s name appears in script on the reverse. It is suspension badge, meaning the star is suspended by chains and hangs blow the body. The badge is elaborately engraved in Victorian style and was probably made by a jeweler from the Tombstone area. Very few of the badges of famous lawmen have survived today. Pat Garrett’s badge is one of the few others known to exist today.

The Sheriff John Behan badge has been exhaustively investigated, tested and documented as to its authenticity. Noted author, engraver and antique arms consultant George Madis has carefully inspected the Silver badge and declares it “....original and old with no alterations.” Master engraver Joseph of Cody, Wyoming, has also examined the Behan badge and attests that it is hand-made and from the time period of the OK Corral. Many knowledgeable and reputable badge collectors have also inspected the badge and have all overwhelmingly declared it authentic as to age, construction and engraving typical of the late 19th century.

In addition, these few ounces of historic silver have been rigorously examined and tested by EMTEC, and engineering Consulting Lab in Denver, Colorado. Excerpts from their detailed study state:

“The badge was examined using the optical microscope at magnifications of up to 140 power. It is our opinion that both the badge and the engraving are authentic to the date 1881 on the reverse side. Microscopic examination clearly shows that the badge and the engravings are characteristic of the 19th century and are deemed authentic”

"We have inspected many articles of this era for authentication and have successfully discriminated between counterfeit and authentic items. We are confident that your John Behan badge is authentic.”

dgeary@aol.com