Gainesville Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Monday, February 12, 2001
Reflections for Police Officer Scott Matthew Baird
Dear Scott,
It is Christmas Eve and I wish for you to be with me. I know you are not far, this morning on the way to work I saw a rainbow and tonight I found a penny outside a store and I know it's the little things that remind me that you are near. I love you with all my heart, I miss you everyday. Merry Christmas in Heaven. We all miss you.
Love,
Mom
December 24, 2003
Scott,
Wow, it has been quite some time since you passed away. We still miss you! I know your family does also. You were very special and I know you are still watching over those of us left behind. Our department was blessed to have such an eager and dedicated young man and Officer.
You paid the Ulitimate Price so that our community would be safe. Thank you to Officer Scott Baird and thank you to his family.
I pray for God's peace to surround the family and friends. I also pray for those responsible for this act. God knows who they are and I pray they will take responsibility for their actions and allow God to forgive them along with the Scott and his family. We miss you Scott!!!!
Cpl. Lisa S Satcher
Gainesville Police Department
November 1, 2003
To the family of Officer Baird may God be with you through this time of heartache. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Officer Baird he lived and died so we all could live in a better world. Scott, we all will continue to pray for your family. You truly are a hero. Keep us safe Scott until we meet you again.
Ptl. Justin Lindsay
Cairo, Ga Police Dept.
Scott was my nephew. His father is my brother. Scott's life was short but fulfilling. He managed to achieve in his short life everything he set out to do. He was on his way to fulfilling his further plans when the tragic accident happened. I have no doubt that if Scott were still here today, he would be at his next goal, setting plans for the next. I watched Scott grow from a newborn baby to his death. I miss Scott and love him with all my heart. Although my heart is aching for the loss of my nephew, it is truley aching more for my brother who is struggling day by day with his own deep sorrow. My brother is a good man and needs everyones help and support. His wife Dina is very good to him and has been a true source of support for him as we all have. Please remember Scott in your prayers and my brother as well.
Kathy Baird
family
I only knew Scott from the few times he came out to our facility bringing in arresties off of the street. Scott had so much energy and was always acted in a professional manner. He was always friendly to our staff here. I remember the last time I saw him as he told me, "Good nite, Sarge." I will never foreget this as long as I live. The Gainesville Police Department has lost not only a good officer, but we at ASODOJ have lost a good friend. Our sincere condolences goes out to Scott's family and loved ones.
SGT Derrick James
Alachua County Sheriff's Office Dept. of the Jail
An Officer- Sworn to Protect and Serve
This is a poem for my fellow Officer:
Officer Scott Matthew Baird
of the Gainesville Police Department
Killed in the line of duty on 02-12-2001
A Matter of the Heart
This is a job we choose to do although we’re not given very much thanks.
A job where we stand united with brothers and sisters, as we stand among the ranks.
A job where we are sworn to uphold the law, protect and serve.
This job takes strength and courage and an awful lot of nerve.
This is a job that most people don’t really ever want to be a part.
A job that’s always been considered a matter of the heart.
The profession we choose to do, most people don’t ever care to be.
Yet it’s a real necessary part of our society.
This job is a calling sent down from God above.
He appoints every position as we’re messengers of His love.
Sometimes our lives are given and laid upon the line.
Other times we respond to calls and things turn out just fine.
Most don’t understand the struggles we face everyday.
It is only by God’s grace and strength that HE carries us all the way.
This is for our fallen comrade; we appreciate all you’ve done.
You’ve given your life. You’ve given your all and in our book your number ONE.
Though your life was brief with us, your love has affected us all.
In the eyes of fellow Officers, you stand very, very tall.
You have finished the race with dignity, integrity and so much more.
We will miss you and we thank you as you walk through heaven’s door.
A fellow Officer: Lisa S. Satcher
02-16-01 copyright
Ofc. Lisa Satcher
Gainesville Police Dept
What a tragedy to lose such a fine young officer so senselessly. I hope that whoever prepretrated this so-called "prank" is identified and prosecuted for 2nd deg. murder or at least manslaughter, in light of the Florida teens who were prosecuted for a death resulting from their removing an intersection stop sign a few years back.
This shows that no aspect of our job is "routine". We must all be careful at all times and please wear reflector traffic vests when outside the vehicle at dusk or dark.
I pray for this young man's family, friends and colleagues. We all are hurt when these tragedies occur because we are all family of the badge, regardless of where we work or what uniform we wear.
He now patrols the streets of Heaven with St. Michael. God Bless and be safe out there!
Chief JA Millan
Chief JA Millan
NC Public Schools, Avery Dist. SP
Rest in peace blue angel. 5/8/03
Shannon
concerned citizen
Watch over us brother. Rest in peace.
Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department
Dearest Scott,
Tomorrow is your birthday, I will try not to be sad. Every day I think of you, remembering your wonderful sense of humor and your beautiful smile. I sense the things you want me to do and I try hard to accomplish them. So, instead of crying tomorrow, I will remember the most joyous day of my life, when I became your mother. At that instant, it was known, no matter what, I would love you more and more each day. Even though you are a heavenly angel, wrap your arms around me tomorrow and share in the wonderful memories.
I love you with all my heart-
Mom
What a tragedy to lose his life at such a young age.
God Bless you and keep you...
You will never be forgotten.
Cleveland Police, Retired Ohio
Wow! You had a very beautiful son, Mom and Dad! As today is the anniversary of his death, it is a very sad day indeed. Parents are not supposed to survive their children and it happens all too frequently in this profession. I pray that God would comfort you and the others who love and admire Scott and miss him terribly. May God give you the strength you need to get thru each day for I am sure there isn't a day that goes by that you don't miss him. God bless you all and may He
mend your broken hearts!!
Lynn Kole
Washington State
Today 12-21-02 Scott I spoke with your dad walter, The lord truly works in mysterious ways. I was calling cingular phone customer services, for whom your dad works for. I explained that I myself am a law enforcement officer, and you scott are eternally always my brother, your dad misses you very much while you are 10-8 on patrol in heaven. I let your dad know that law enforment officers go to heaven because we have been threw hell. Therefore I look forward to being with you someday, you have a great dad he was very helpful to me and you should be proud of him. He is so proud of you and loves and misses you dearly. He wished me and my family a merry Christmas and a happy New Year,which was very nice, I wished your dad and family and you the same. So until the day I am 10-7 forever know that you are not forgotten for the lord truly works in mysterious ways.
Your" Eternal Brother Forever"
Jacob
Deputy Sheriff Jacob Bonn
Broward County Sheriff's Office
I only knew Scott as a young child when his father was serving as a Military policeman at Ft. Bragg, NC. On 12/19/02 I became aware of his passing and I would like to offer my belated condolences to his parents, Sonny and Kelly. May peace be with you always.
Larry W. Faulkner
Dearest Scott,
I think back when you were just a baby and this warm feeling fills my heart. I watched you grow from a baby into a young man. You made me so proud of you, every step of the way. The first time I held you in my arms, I knew you were going to grow up to be someone very special. You always put a smile on my face. You were, and still are, an insperation to everyone who ever knew you. You were always an insperation in our family. We all miss you so much.
I know that through our Lords promise, that we will all be together again with Him in paradise. Until then my SON.
LOVE ALWAYS,
Dad
Sonny Baird
Dear Scott,
Not a moment goes by without thinking of you, thank you for letting me know you are still with me. I wrote this poem for you a few months ago, I hope you like it.
The Etching On My Heart
Never had I dreamed
I'd hear your name called aloud
A hero I heard them say
A man for whom we are proud
To stand above all-
to honor, protect and serve
Your life ended swiftly
so much more did you deserve
Your name etched on a wall
for all of those to see
A fellow officer touches it
down on bended knee
They hand me your medal of honor
proudly which I display
Although it comes with sad reminders
of how my heart was broken that day
But we shall be together again
I give you my solemn vow
I had to let you go
for you sleep with the angels now
The Roll Call of Heroes is over,
memorial services done
But forever you live in my heart
My angel, my hero, my son.
With all my love,
I cherish you
Mom
Scott, It has been a while now and I have seen your family and friends grieve. It must feel good up there looking down on all of us seeing how much people love you. You and I spent many hours in a patrol car and spoke of many things. After spending time with your mother I can see why you loved her and spoke so highly of her. As I escorted her up to the wreath in Washington D.C. that afternoon I could feel your strength in her grip as she squeezed my arm. Just always remember your family will always be proud of you and until the day we meet again, keep a watchful eye out for me you know I'll be listening. Your friend G28
Bill Billings
Gainesville Police
I read this page and it seems so sad and down, however knowing Scott the way that I do, I know that he would like something on this page to bring a smile to your face. So in honor of Scott (my brother) think of something good or funny in your life, and enjoy it for a second with a smile. Because you see that is the very same feeling that I would get just to be in the same room with him, and every day that goes by is a day that I am closer to feeling that again. He was my hero, and my best friend............ Until then Scott.
Buddy
To the family of Officer Baird my heart goes out to you. I was just reading the Relections that have been left for Scott and they made me cry. He like my fiance' was killed at such a young age and it has been very hard to handle. When someone is giving their life for our country to make it a better place, and they are killed so tragically we have a hard time understanding why. I have faith in God that he has a purpose for our loved ones and he needed the best officers for the job. We were blessed to have known and loved heros. Pleace know that your family will be in my prayers.
Dana Perot
Survivor (fiance') Deputy Joseph C. Rodgers eow 4 - 9 - 97
I had the honor of knowing Scott when he was working as a mall security officer at the Oaks Mall in Gainesville. He and I became fast friends and spent a lot of time just talking and sharing our life stories with one another. I still remember when Scott first signed on to GPD and was still patroling with another officer until he could go alone. I would sometimes pass him on a street and blow my horn and wave furiously so that he would see me and know that I saw him and how happy he was to be sitting in that patrol car. Scott was a very dear friend of mine who I loved very much and miss more than words can express. I am angered by his passing, but keep faith that God had a bigger plan for him. Though the time he had on this earth was short the impression he left is large and will forever live through the lives he touched. I wish all of Scott's family love, courage and strength to see tomorrow. Scott you are loved so much and are missed everday. Know that you will never be forgotten. I will wait each day until I see your smiling face again because I know we will meet again...... xoxox
Valerie Kirkland
Friend
I went to the police academy with scott. I can say this for sure he would have went on with his career and never forgot where he came from. Everyone called Scott Mr. FBI because that is what he wanted. I miss Scott and pray that one day we all can think of Scott and not cry. Til this day whenever I think of Scott it brings tears. Scott may you rest in peace.
Larry Sapp
ex gpd
Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9
Anonymous
I would just like to say that although i live in england, my deepest sympathies go to scott bairds family and colleagues. It makes me feel so sad to see a decent young man pass away trying to make this world a better place.
Heaven will be a much brighter and safer place now and scott.....may you rest in peace. If there were more men like you this world would be a better place to live in.
from Debbie xx
Fellow officer we will remember you in our prayers along with all who have sacrificed their life serving their communities. God bless you and your family.
Deputy Sheriff
Seminole County Sheriff's Office FL.
Scott, I see your face here and I am deeply saddened because of why you are here. But yet, I am also very proud of you. You worked very hard to be a policeman and I had the honor to ride with you during a shift. I wanted everyone to know that you were my son and I am so proud of him. I drove home that morning feeling so elated to see my son living his dream and what a wonderful compassionate policemen you were. You satisfied my dreams by being with you that night. I miss you Scott, my friend, my son, the one who always made me laugh. But never a day goes by without thoughts of you. I love you, Mom
Mom
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