The officer was tied to an infamous event in Versailles

(VERSAILLES, Ind.) – A century-old police badge that belonged to a Ripley County deputy has been found in Anderson, Indiana. 

Jeremy Brown, of Anderson, was using a metal detector when he recently discovered the antique badge. 

Brown contacted the sheriff’s department and donated it, which led Ripley County Sheriff Rob Bradley to do some historical research. 

The badge belonged to W.F. Bagot who served as a Justice of the Peace in Ripley County for several years after being elected in 1889. He had lived in Milan and passed away in 1935.

Bradley added that the badge ended up in Anderson because Bagot's sister, who was appointed executor of his estate, lived there.

He had connection to infamous Versailles lynching

In 1897, five white men who were suspected of robbery were incarcerated in the Ripley County Jail. 

A mob of about 25 people broke into the jail and killed three of those men. They took all five out of the jail and hung them from a tree. 

Bagot was documented in historical records as an eyewitness to that event. 

“His written statement provides a rare and valuable firsthand account of that event, adding to the historical significance of the recovered badge,” Sheriff Bradley stated. 

RELATED: You can read more about the 1897 Versailles hangings by clicking here.

The badge will be preserved at the Ripley County Sheriff's Office to ensure its story is maintained for future generations.

"The Ripley County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Brown for his honesty and commitment to preserving local history. His actions have helped return an important artifact to the community where it originated," Bradley added.

Here are some more photos provided by the sheriff's office: