In the 1960’s TV show, Sgt. Joe Friday carries badge no. 714. Was there ever such a number issued by the LAPD? Or was the number “retired” in honor of the show…I read that the LAPD Commissioner 9at the time the show was filmed) was a big fan of it-so was No. 714 ever actually used?
from Wiki:
The 714 badge that Friday carried as a lieutenant during the final season of the 1951-59 series was ultimately used in real life by LAPD officer Dan Cooke (however the character of Joe Friday was never made a lieutenant though, preferring to remain in his sergeant’s position). As a sergeant, Cooke had been assigned to be the LAPD’s liaison with Webb during the production of the 1967-70 series. Just before filming started on the TV-movie that became the pilot for the revived series, Cooke found the badge that the LAPD had lent to Webb in 1958-59 season. However, Webb informed Cooke that he wanted Friday to be a sergeant in the revived series, and, consequently, would not need the lieutenant’s badge from the original show. Cooke put the unused badge in a desk drawer and forgot about it. Years later, after being promoted to lieutenant himself, Cooke found the badge and asked for permission to use it.
When Webb died in 1982, LAPD Chief Darryl Gates officially retired shield number 714 (Webb was also buried with full police honours, a rarity for a non-policeman).