Police Chief Phil Crowell presents Dan Cunliffe, II, owner of Republic Jewelry, with an official letter of thanks to go along with the “Challenge Coin” issued to the business by Detective Chad Syphers.

Detective Chad Syphers recently honored Republic Jewelry of Auburn by presenting the business with an Auburn Police Department “Challenge Coin” in recognition of Republic’s efforts to help reduce property crime in Auburn.

The Auburn Police Department (APD) has a community recognition program in which officers and staff are encouraged to present the Department’s commemorative coins to citizens they feel have gone “above and beyond” in service to the community. Citizens awarded such a coin also receive a letter of thanks from the Chief.

“This is the first coin we have presented to a business,” said APD Chief Phil Crowell. “As a large buyer of jewelry and coins, Republic is often our first line of defense in identifying stolen items.”

Republic Jewelry has worked closely with APD officers and detectives over the years to help recover such items and return them to their rightful owners.

A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, usually issued by a military or law enforcement agency, bearing the organization’s insignia or emblem and carried by its members. They are traditionally issued to serve as proof of membership or to enhance morale.

Challenge coins have normally been presented by commanders to members of their units in recognition of special achievement. In World War I, a wealthy lieutenant had custom challenge coins minted for all those in his unit to recognize their loyalty to the ongoing war effort.

Narrowly escaping the Germans, one pilot from this unit had his life spared when he presented his personal challenge coin to French soldiers. This inspired other members of the pilot’s unit to begin carrying their military challenge coins with them at all times.