The Fresno State mail room received a strange package — a padded envelope that was clearly re-used and taped over several times — addressed to the fire department.

The package ended up with Fresno State Police Chief James Watson.

The University once had a fire department in the 1950s and 60s because the campus was located so far from the city’s core, Watson said, and it was staffed by two or three firefighters and student volunteers.

Inside the envelope was a tiny badge that read “Fresno State College Fire Department badge No. 12” and it was accompanied by a letter from Anita Sturgill of Sonora.

She wrote that when her husband, Jon, worked in the fire department under Fire Chief Doug Bainbridge when he was a student. Jon Sturgill, 82, is now living in an assisted care facility. She urged him years ago to send the badge back to the University, but he insisted the department wouldn’t want it, Watson said.

“She’s just returning the badge to the department and hoping somebody can write him a note regarding his service there and thank you,” Watson said.

The fire and police departments used to share the same building on campus, and the fire trucks parked where Watson’s office is located now, he said. Police badges are on display in the department’s lobby.

“I told [Anita Sturgill] that we’ll recognize him and I’ll write him a letter,” Watson said. “Once we update the badges, we’ll add his or do a separate display noting the history of the fire department.”