The Old Jail Hosts Badge Pinning Ceremony For Sheriff Hardwick
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (November 18, 2025) – Old Town Trolley Tours® is continuing its mission as The Nation’s Storyteller® with an exciting new addition to its “From Past to Present: A Legacy of Leadership” exhibit, which shines a spotlight on the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, beginning with The Old Jail’s first leader, Sheriff Charles Joseph Perry, up to the current Sheriff, Robert A. Hardwick. The exhibit now features Sheriff Hardwick’s badge, which was retired for display purposes at a ceremony on Friday, November 14th, at The Old Jail, located at 167 San Marco Avenue in St. Augustine.
“This exhibit is the product of an amazing partnership with Sheriff Hardwick and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office,” says Edwin “Ed” Swift IV, Vice President of Historic Tours of America®. “Hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents come to The Old Jail to hear about this historic building. Now, thanks to Sheriff Hardwick, they’ll get to see a true piece of law enforcement history. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is the oldest in the state of Florida, and we’re proud to help tell its story.”
Sheriff Hardwick’s badge was donated to the exhibit in a badge pinning ceremony on Friday, November 14th, at The Old Jail. Sheriff Hardwick’s wife, Kendell Hardwick, removed the retired badge and pinned a new one onto her husband’s uniform. The badge will be displayed as part of The Old Jail’s “From Past to Present” exhibit. It shows the timeline of leadership at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, beginning with The Old Jail’s first leader, Sheriff C.J. Perry. Perry and his family resided at The Old Jail, which is an integral part of the attraction’s story.
“Having my badge displayed here at The Old Jail is quite powerful,” says Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick. “St. Augustine is my hometown – I was raised on these streets, educated in these schools, and it’s where I met and married my high school sweetheart. It’s where Kendell and I chose to settle down and raise our children. It’s such a part of my own history, so to have my story included along with these other fine law enforcement officers is truly an honor.”
The Old Jail served as the St. Johns County Jail from 1891 to 1953. It was designed and built by the P.J. Pauley Jail Building and Manufacturing Company, which also designed and built the infamous Alcatraz. Henry Flagler financed its construction, as the previous one stood on land he needed to develop for the Ponce de Leon Hotel. Old Town Trolley Tours now owns and operates the historic landmark, offering guided educational tours and a nighttime ghost experience, as part of its popular Ghosts and Gravestones tour.
ABOUT OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS®: Old Town Trolley Tours® of St. Augustine is a full-service tour operator that helps visitors make the most of their St. Augustine vacation. The Trolley Tours experience offers hop-on and hop-off transportation, live narrated tours, entry to world-famous attractions, easy access to over 100 points of interest, and more. Part of Historic Tours of America®, Old Town Trolley Tours® operates in nine cities. Photos to accompany this press release may be found here. Learn more at trolleytours.com/st-augustine and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
