Are you a Kentucky Colonel? Preserve your legacy, get listed in the Kentucky Colonels Handbook last published in 1930.
Kentucky colonels can and should carry a badge in the event they need to officialize festivities that require a colonel's presence. There should always be evidence that there was a colonel there, so take a photo with your badge, especially if you do not look like a colonel!
Badges and symbolic forms of identification are developed to promote the ideas of Kentucky colonelcy. In general a badge, pin or identity card is used to distinguish or show allegiance to the ideal of what it means to be a Real Kentucky Colonel. Kentucky colonels today, because of the popularity of the award must create their own pomp and show to be recognized in society and individually distinguish themselves based on the act of being recognized by the Governor. It is estimated that 1 in 1,000 people could be Kentucky colonels in America today.
It is unlawful to impersonate a Kentucky Colonel unless you are an actual Kentucky Colonel, this can be easily determined by reading the case files of the HOKC, aka Kentucky Colonels v. Col. David J. Wright, et. al. the lawsuit established clearly that the HOKC was founded based on a fictitious militia order without evidence based on the credibility of government. Real historians never believed them, either did Col. George Chinn who presided over the Kentucky Historical Society, the case was dismissed but did earn several points of merit with the court regarding their own trademark.
Due to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels making threatening legal demands against badge manufacturers it is difficult to have a Kentucky Colonel Badge manufactured by a US badge manufacturer. There is no prohibition or restrictions on a Kentucky Colonel ordering their own badge however, despite this some badge manufacturers are reluctant, but most will still make a badge for colonels, sometimes requesting a photo of a persons commission or requiring that a badge be personalized.
By law a Kentucky Colonel has the right to identify themselves as a colonel and honorary civilian officer that is an ambassador of goodwill. We recommend that all living and active colonels, identify themselves prominently using their Honorific Titles complimented by an ID Card, nameplate and wallet mounted badge when travelling or at work, however to promote that position we had to develop a handbook which is available only to Kentucky colonels that are actively employed.
There have been a variety of badges developed over the years that have been used to identify Kentucky colonels. The first one we could identify was from 1913, it was made by someone with the Kentucky Colonel Model Initiation Team of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International which was started officially in Chicago in 1917, all of the members of the group acted, conducted themselves and even dressed like Kentucky colonels. A photo of their group is on our home page.
While it may be a coincidence that the "Silver Star" coincides with the first Kentucky Colonel Commission of Richard Mentor Johnson by the Kentucky Legislature in 1813, an entrepreneur coincidentally reproduced the badge in 2013 in gold color. The design has caught on well enough that it has become our logo and an official symbol representing Kentucky colonelcy semantically.
There are no specific laws that state a Kentucky Colonel should not, or shall not be allowed to carry or use a badge or a quality identification credential. A Kentucky colonel is a legally commissioned officer with honorary status, in the "old days" the status involved an official act, a commission, duties, identification, a medal and a uniform. Over the years, by 1921 the official duties, medal and uniform had all disappeared, but not the colonel because of his great significance in establishing the Commonwealth in 1792.
In 1957 Chief Justice Combs said, "Kentucky Colonels and notaries public are [commissioned officers] created in the name of the Commonwealth [under the authority of] its Chief Executive."
Adapted from the only applicable law in the Kentucky Revised Statutes Title XIII, Education § 164.980: (Impersonation of a Police Officer Prohibited) No person shall falsely represent himself/herself to be a [Kentucky Colonel] and in such assumed character, arrest, or detain, or search, or question, in any manner the person or property of any person, nor shall any person without the authority of the Governor wear an official uniform, insignia, badge, or other identification bearing the seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Others have created various badges for Kentucky colonels, however these badges are not considered to be official or accepted for various reasons. The Kentucky Sheriff's Association uses a "Five Point Star Ball Tipped Badge" this type of badge is restricted and requires proper law enforcement ID to purchase or use in Kentucky.
