The uniform was composed of black shoes, forest green wool trousers, a tan long sleeve shirt, black tie, forest green coat, black basketweave Sam Browne duty belt with cross draw holster, and an olive green flat brimmed hat.  An oakleaf surrounding the rank of the wearer adorned the hat, and bars with "SHERIFF" were worn on the coat lapels. Sergeant chevrons and service stars were in black cloth and placed on the coat sleeves only.

Most importantly was the newly designed badge issued to everyone who was a deputy of the sheriff and performed in his name.   Sheriff Dort wanted it to be unique and symbolize the new structure of the combined department bringing together different factions.  As a symbol of the faith, trust and confidence that is unique in the relationship a sheriff has to his deputies, unlike that of a police officer, the badge itself was made of precious metal. Crafted by the Entemann-Rovin Company in Pico Rivera of sterling silver, the design was a seven-pointed star with the Great Seal of the State of California in its center. The lettering was baked blue enamel and began the numbering with 1.  Some say that the seven points represent the seven letters of the title Sheriff, standing for Service, Honor, Ethics, Respect, Integrity, Fairness and Faithfulness.

Sixty-three years later, our class A uniform, less the hat, looks much the same as Sheriff Dort designed it.  The green pants, tan shirt and basketweave leather has held strong in everyday use.  A very similar hat is even approved for field use today.  The symbol of the Sheriff and the public's confidence in those deputies who wear the badge is still there in the sterling silver it is made of today.  We know of no other agency whose badge is made of a precious metal such as ours. While the badge of others may signify the authority placed in the wearer, ours really mean something and have a value on its own.  That speaks to the great traditions, pride and heritage of our department.

The badges of Sheriff Dort, Undersheriff Brereton and Deputy Sheriff badge #1 are in the collection of the Sheriff's Museum.  If you're a deputy wearing a shirt badge, look on the back and you'll see the sterling mark, and although there are some Sun Badge Company badges in issue, probably the same manufacturer as badge number 1, Entemann-Rovin.