Montreal's Amature Athletics Association, the MAAA, used the

logo in the mid 19th century for their cycling club. Subsequently

the logo was used for the Montreal Hockey Club which formed out of

members of the MAAA. A lesser known fact is that the winged wheel

Colorado State Patrol flying wheel gold and blue police patch see photos.

logo was used for the MAA swim team as well.

One of it's former players , James Norris, of Montreal Quebec

supplants the 'winged wheel' logo and moniker on the Detroit hockey

team in 1932. The finacialy strapped team struggled under different

names and owners before Canadian Jack Adams and Norris took

control. Norris an astute businessman modified the original upright

wing design and changed the name to 'the Red Wings'. However, too

many parralels may be drawn between the Montreal and Detroit hockey

clubs that had the MAA filed a claim it would have been actionable

at that time.

Since it's introduction into the public psyche and popular

culture the 'winged wheel' has been used by the American military,

Girl Scouts, as well as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Meaning of 'The Winged Wheel'

The wheel and arrow patch dates to the early 1900s, when the motorcycle was introduced into the military. The military used patches to identify the unit and its role in service.

From what we have learned during the research is the Wheel was used to signify the Motorcycle, the type of 'Motion”. Or unit.

The Arrow was added to show the Motorcycle was armed and could fight. The rider could shoot and was a precise shot. The arrow displayed the armor and 'Precision' skill of the rider of both gun and machine.

After World War I the police department had adopted the patch form the riders of WWI. This seemed fitting because the Police Motor Officers were armed. Later departments added Traffic to the patch to show the type of enforcement the unit was used for.

Soon after the, wing was added to the to the Wheel and Arrow. The Wing signifies “Speed”. The motor officers at the time would chase down the speeder and jump onto the vehicle and force them to stop.

The Wings displays the Speed and danger involved in the job, the Swift jump to the vehicle from the speeding motorcycle. Some say after the jump you have earned your wings. Either by the patch for in death.

Todays Motor Unit Patch still displayed all three aspects of the job. The Motorcycle “Motion”, the Arrow being a “precise” shot or the agility of the motorcycle’s capabilities, The Wings the “Swift” speed of the motorcycle and the danger involved.

Motorcycle Officers earn the right to wear the Winged Wheel on there chest after they pass the hardest school in Law Enforcement. This patch is enriched with history and traditions that are still carried on today.

Motorcycle Officers must pass an 80 Hour training program to be a part of the motorcycle Unit or Squad. They must show proficiency in slow speed handling, High Speed handling, shooting from the motorcycle and the tactics of traffic enforcement, as well as traffic avoidance.

The Patch is usually worn on the sleeve with the arrow facing forward, or pointing to the heart of the officer to show the unit will move forward and evolve and how much it means to the officer and the department.

The Swift, Precise, Motion is today's Motorcycle Officer.

The Wing represents Swiftness

The Arrow Precision

The Wheel Motion

A Police Motorcycle is Swift Precise Motion

Bows 1980-1989 - Click Photos to ZoomMartin Pack Rat take-down compound(1987)Martin Onza 1980's-1990'sShown above is a special editiongold plated model.Firebird Hunter Bow, Archer World, November 1983Golden Eagle'Hunter Turbo' (1989)Bear Archery (1984)Super Brown Bear, Brown Bearand Pronghorn HunterYork Archery (1985)Crazy bow. Made almost impossible to shoot.The sight window is a standardright hand design but the grip is upside down. Built just for fun. One limb has an eccentric wheel the other has a cam.(Martin Archery 1985)Bear Archery BioTech Cam, Archery World, May 1983Bear archery Delta-V, Bow & Arrow, December 1981Martin Archery (1988)'Firecat'Proline Archery (1987)Medallion Series with hand painted animalsBarnett Archery 'Sioux' (1988)Delta V (close up)shows draw module and string bumperYork Archery (1983)'CNC-1' with 'Alpha cam'early CNC riser compoundPSE Mach II (1983)with photo of Pete ShepleyRare prototype cam in string designThis bow was made using aHowatt Mamba recurveCam is built in to bowstring. Bowtech serial number lookup. One limb and cable is white, the other is black.

By. Sgt. J. Hughes

Dutchess County, NY Sheriff’s Office

Motor Unit

The meaning of the Winged Wheel patch. I am often asked by people who
see it on my sleeve, what is the meaning of the Winged Wheel patch I
always reply, 'straight as an arrow, free as a bird.'
Lt Joseph F Tersak Jr
Pittsburgh, PA Police Department

Motorcycle Unit

The Wing Wheel Worn on Uniforms

Most agencies wear the wing wheel on the left sleeve under the department patch for short sleeve and on just above the cuff on long sleeve shirts.

The arrow on the left sleeve should point to the officer. On the right sleeve it should point to the officer.

The Winged Wheel in the late 1920's Denver, CO Police Department Motor Unit

On the Cuff long sleeve

On short Sleeve (Right Side)