This is a 1940s Wyandotte County Kansas Sheriff's Special Deputy Badge that belonged to Stephen J Fracul. It is marked as being made by H. C. Liepsner & Company of Kansas City, Missouri. I picked it up a few weeks ago.
Steve's Story:
Stephen John Fracul, known as Steve, was born on December 22, 1902, in Hermansville, Michigan, to Nicholas and Helen (Fratzel) Fracul. He attended Menominee High School until his Junior year before relocating with his family to Kansas City, Kansas in 1920. In Kansas City, he started working at Adler’s Department Store.
On July 9, 1942, Steve left Adler’s temporarily to enlist in the United States Army. He served as a combat medic in Sicily and Italy with the 45th Infantry Division, displaying exceptional bravery during the Battle of Anzio, earning a Silver Star for his unwavering care of wounded comrades amidst heavy artillery fire. He concluded his service on May 23, 1945, holding the rank of Technician Third Grade. Alongside the Silver Star, he received a Combat Medical Badge and three Campaign Stars.
Returning to Adler’s in Kansas City after the war, he worked there until retiring in 1981 at the age of 78. Not slowing down, at 84, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of attending college at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), earning a General Education Development degree in 1986. He also wrote for the JCCC newspaper, performed skits for children, won a statewide writing contest, was an active member of VFW Post 846, held the position of Historian at the American Legion Dwight Cowles Post 370 in Overland Park, and worked as a Special Deputy Sherriff for the Wyandotte County Sherriff Department. He also enjoyed playing golf and attending Chiefs games.
Steve passed away on Friday, August 17, 2001, at Delmar Gardens in Lenexa. He was buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery alongside his parents and two siblings and was survived by one niece and many friends.
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