Got it. Most cool...thanks. As a contemporary, but from the east coast (NY area) I can testify that I'd never in my life heard a policeman called a "star," which is why I asked and am proud that I guessed right! 

Ben 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patty Slayton" <[log in to unmask]> 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 7:48:50 PM 
Subject: Counterculture Twain 

I grew up in Reno, NV--born 1934--At that time, "star" was used to refer = 
to a cop, as in "Watch out, there's a 'star' behind us," when driving, = 
or "here comes a 'star'," if we were doing something less than legal. = 
It was a respectful term. It seemed to have gotten replaced by the less = 
respectful sounding "fuzz" by the late 40's or early 50's, somewhat = 
earlier than the decidedly negative "pig" of the hippy era.=20 

Patty Slayton