This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/10/2026
Offered is Elvis Presley's Baton Rouge, Louisiana "Honorary Chief of Police" Badge. Elvis' fascination with law enforcement is legendary, and his collection of badges given to him from various law enforcement agencies is well-known. Elvis would often get jurisdictions to give him his own badges, either in Memphis or anywhere in the country, but honorary badges were often the result. Elvis had concerts in Baton Rouge, Louisiana several times in the 1970s, and each time he interacted with the Baton Rouge Police as they provided crowd control at the concert venue and even at his hotels.
The badge was later given to Elvis' friend Joe Esposito--Esposito later sold the badge to Jimmy Velvet, owner of the "Elvis Presley Museum." The badge is accompanied by an "Elvis Presley Museum" LOA dated "10-29-90" and signed by Velvet that reads: "This badge was given to Elvis Presley by the Chief of Police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The badge says, “HONORARY Chief of Police, Baton Rouge, La.” This badge has been on display at the Elvis Presley Museum for the past several years."
The small badge is presented in a modern wallet with a small copy of the original letter date "3-26-82" from Joe Esposito to Jimmy Velvet listing this badge among several items being sold to Velvet. The letter reads in part "I hereby certify that the following badges were at one time part of the Elvis Presley''s Badge Collection." Measures 2 x 1 inches. Pristine Near Mint to Mint condition.