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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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36 results for: Police and Law Enforcement

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Image of Three remnant pieces of a flash-bang grenade from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, 1999

Three remnant pieces of a flash-bang grenade from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, 1999

These flashbang grenade remnants are from the night of December 1st, 1999, during the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle. The 1999 protests against the WTO Summit made international news. Deemed the “Battle of Seattle,” police and the National Guard used tear gas, rubber and wooden bullets, and other deterrents to disperse crowds. The donor of this artifact was…
ID Number:2022.12.1
Date:1999
Image of Wooden bullet from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, 1999

Wooden bullet from the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests, 1999

This wooden bullet is from the night of December 1st, 1999, during the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle. The 1999 protests against the WTO Summit made international news. Deemed the “Battle of Seattle,” police used tear gas, rubber and wooden bullets, and other deterrents to disperse crowds. The donor of this artifact was in the midst of the…
ID Number:2022.12.2
Date:1999
Image of Flashlight used by King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht when she was a deputy, ca. 1989

Flashlight used by King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht when she was a deputy, ca. 1989

This flashlight was used by King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht when she was a deputy at Kenmore Precinct 2 around 1989. Johanknecht, born in Seattle and raised in Burien, joined the King County Sheriff's Department in 1985. She rose through the ranks, eventually running for sheriff in 2017, beating incumbent John Urquhart. She was only the second woman and one…
ID Number:2022.22.1
Date:Circa 1989
Image of King County Deputy Sheriff Badge #400, 1940s-1950s

King County Deputy Sheriff Badge #400, 1940s-1950s

This badge belonged to Andrew Steiner Ekern who was a King County Sheriff and became chief of county detectives in 1956. According to the donor (his granddaughter), he was an alcoholic and got removed from his job and demoted. At the time of his death in 1959 he was an administrator in the State License Department.
ID Number:2023.19.3
Date:Circa 1940-1950
Image of Door from John

Door from John "Doc" Hamilton's speakeasy in Seattle, ca. 1920s

John Henry "Doc" Hamilton (1891-1942) moved from Mississippi to Seattle around 1914 at the age of 23. He served in WWI in the 92nd infantry division in France and returned to Seattle after the war ended. When the Prohibition Act took effect in 1920, Hamilton opened his first speakeasy in his home on E. Union Street. Seattle police shut it…
ID Number:2024.27.1
Date:Circa 1920-1930
Image of Red whistle and instruction booklet for alerting neighbors to ICE activity, 2026

Red whistle and instruction booklet for alerting neighbors to ICE activity, 2026

In response to increased activity from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025 and 2026, the organization WA Whistles formed to “spread whistles throughout WA to help communities protect themselves against ICE.” If ICE is spotted in the area, users are instructed to blow the whistles in certain ways: intermittent for ICE spotted, continuously if someone is being abducted. The…
ID Number:2026.12.1
Date:2026
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MOHAI stands on the historic and contemporary lands and shores of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and other Coast Salish Nations. We acknowledge the forced displacement of Native Communities from this land while honoring the endurance of the Duwamish people who still live here.
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Phone: 206 324 1126
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