From Nov 30, 1873, p. 1, c. 2:

"HEELING" [sic] THE CHIEF

Presentations to Theodore G. Cockrill Last Evening" 'There must have been at least two hundred and fifty gentlemen gathered in Anthony's Hall last evening to witness the presentation of a handsome badge of office to Theo. G. Cockrill, the Chief of Police elect. At half-past eight, the meeting was called to order, and on motion of Mr. Theodore Ross, Judge Leander Quint was called to the Chair. Messrs. Gordon E. Sloss, C. B. Edwards and William Ford were elected Vice-President, and Mr. Ross, Secretary. A committee which had been selected to wait on Mr. Cockrill then returned, and Mr. Schaber, the Chairman, in a short speech introduced Mr. Cockrill to the assemblage. He was received with enthusiastic applause. Mr. Robert Ferral, in a happy and appropriate speech, in which he grew eloquent on the merits of Mr. Cockrill and the spontaneous expression of good will of that gentleman's friends, presented him with an elegant gold badge of office as "A token of esteem, affection and good will from his many friends.

THE BADGE Is an elegant shield, blue enameled, with a solitaire diamond the size of a cherry-stone, in the centre of an eye resting on a seven-pointed star. The words, "Chief of Police," traced in brilliants, rest in a scroll above and below the typical ever-vigilant eye. The shield is surrounded by a wreath of laurel and oak leaves, worked in virgin gold, which is then surmounted by an eagle bearing in his beak a scroll inscribed with the word "Vigilance." Attached to the badge is a heavy chain, connected with a safety pin, bearing Mr. Cockrill's crest -- a shield, surmounted with a tiger's head, crowned, resting on a circle, with two eagles wings, two roosters rampant, the initials T. G. C. in old English text, with the motto Vigilant et euias. The back of the badge bears the words, "Presented to T. G. Cockrill, by his friends. San Francisco, December 1st, 1873." The whole is an elegant piece of workmanship, costing not less than $500, and was made by Messrs. Kohler & Ritter. The badge is from the design of three of Mr. Cockrill's friends, Messrs. W. W. Black, Alexander Campbell and Geo. J. White. The presentation was made on the behalf of 45 personal friends, independent of any organization or office holding.

Accompanying the badge was an engraved address on parchment, signed by Mr. Cockrill's forty-five personal friends. The address was presented by Mr. Charles L. Wiggin. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Cockrill rose amid a storm of applause, and, in a few brief words, thanked all of his friends, both absent and present, for their kindness, and promised that he never should be found wanting in the faithful performances of his duties. Speeches were then made by Judges W. D. Sawyer and Southard and Messrs. James Crittenden, A. J. Bryant, Judge Taliafero. Leander Quint, Lew Battler, Chas. Wiggins, Mr. Homer, Captain Johnson, of the Los Angeles Herald, and many others. the remainder of the time of the meeting was spent in general jollification. Late in the evening a presentation was made to Mr. Cockrill at his residence, of a revolver, two derringers, a bowie knife and alarm whistle, all necessary adjuncts of his office, on behalf of the members of the force. Both affairs were alike hearty, enthusiastic and whole-souled expressions of good will.

From Dec. 7, 1873, p. 1, c. 5:

The Old and New Chief.

Chief Cockrill Receives an Interest in the Bonanza and Chief Ellis Presented with a Badge of Office -- Pertinent Remarks by the New Chief.

The abused custom in the Police Department of making presentations to the heads of the Department, regardless of the term they served or the manner in which they discharged their duties, was performed yesterday. At noon upward of one hundred regular officers assembled in the Twelfth District Court-room and organized by the election of Capt. John Short as Chairman. The purpose of the gathering was to make a presentation to the retiring Chief, to which each of the officers subscribed ten dollars or more. While waiting for Mr. Cockrill, Chief Ellis entered the room and was greeted with a round of applause.

Chief Ellis, without the formality of an introduction, returned his thanks for the applause. There was a time in the Police Department when there was a spirit of friendly rivalry among the officers as to who could do the most and best duty which he hoped would be continued under his administration. He would watch with anxiety the course of all in the discharge of their duties and would reward them as far as was in his power, as their merits deserved. The Chief closed his remarks as follows:

"I have a few words to say in reference to this matter of hoodlumism, of which the public seem so justly enraged, and not a small number of our citizens afraid. It is a great and growing evil; but I believe it not only can, but will be suppressed. There is no reason why it should not be, for with 300 specials and 150 regular policemen a species of crime like it should be wiped out, and I consider this duly paramount to all others. This is the way I feel about it today, and I hope that every one of you will take the same view of it, and put forth every endeavor toward the accomplishment of its extermination. There is no city in the United States so accursed in this respect as San Francisco, and I know this from personal observations made on a recent trip to the East. In conclusion I will say that I hope you will adopt the Irishman's motto: 'Wherever you see a head, hit it,' as far as these white savages are concerned."

Chief Cockrill soon afterward entered and was addressed by Counsellor Clarke, who spoke in eulogistic terms of the kindness of the Chief and the officers, and concluded with presenting him, on behalf of the force, with a handsome toilet case and five shares of Consolidated Virginia stock, purchased at $290 a share.

Mr. Cockrill returned thanks, promised to always be a friend of the police, and then introduced his successor.

Mayor Bryant and Police Judge Louderback were sent for, but failed to respond, and the meeting adjourned.