Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, our thoughts and prayers are with the immediate family of Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker and the extended law enforcement family of the Santa Cruz, California Police Department. Rest in Peace brother and watch over us.

I fight not for glory or fame, for they are momentary. I fight for those who can't. I fight for Justice. I fight for the oppressed and the down trodden. And if I should lose my life for these just causes, then I have no regrets, For I serve to protect the innocent. It matters not where or when, for evil knows no boundaries. Be it fire, flood, or the threat of tyranny, I will not flee. Justice is my weapon. Faith is my shield. Hope is my armor. Cry not at my passing, for it was my Honor to fight for you. Shed not tears of sorrow, But tears of joy, for now, I stand with God.

By Jon F. Hooper

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

March 2, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time. Your service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Supervisory FAM, Thomas Kelly Jr.
Federal Air Marshal Service

March 2, 2013

Rest in peace brother. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. God bless your family, friends and the agency you so valiantly served.

Off. Matthew Harrington
Kennebunk, Maine Police Department

March 2, 2013

Rest in Peace Officer Baker, Bless your family and the Santa Cruz Police Department.

TFC Len Widener
Connecticut State Police

March 2, 2013

Rest in peace Sgt. Thank you for your dedicated service.

Ofc. O. A. Olasokan
NYS University Police at SUNY Potsdam

March 2, 2013

FALLEN HEROES
From the time I was conceived God had for me a plan
He wanted me to get involved to help my fellow man
I know some were against it but God knows what is best
Since the day he took me home I've had perfect rest
Heaven is so beautiful I'm walking streets of gold
Now I'm serving others including saints of old
I know some still have anger about the way I died
But God sees and bottles every tear you cry
As difficult as it may be please don't hold a grudge
Remember this my loved ones God alone will judge
Then on that resurrection day when all the dead will rise
The Lord will reunite us together in the skies
Please don't be sad and mourn for me I'm doing what I love
Serving God and guarding you from heaven up above

Joye Atkinson

March 1, 2013

I have laid down my life in service to all of you.
I have been a part of the fabric that has held the line between your safety and your victimization. I have given my life so that others may live in peace. I have lived my life as a dedicated member of the greatest profession. There is no greater honor.

As I now become a part of the rich history of law enforcement, please remember me always for I have left behind those who loved and depended upon me.
My partners and my agency, please remember my family, their loss, and don’t let time soften your compassion for them.

You guard the gate now and I will continue my watch from above.

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND MAY YOUR FAMILY FIND COMFORT IN THE GOOD YOU HAVE DONE HERE ON EARTH.

Doug Gist, Captain (ret.) Washoe S.O.
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum

March 1, 2013

rest in peace thank you for your service

PROVINCIAL CONSTABLE MARTY LALONDE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

March 1, 2013

Rest in peace my brother L.E.O. I hope in time your family and agency find peace in your passing.

Evil will never prosper as long as brave men such as yourself stand for good.

Police Officer II D. Vaquero
San Diego Police Department

March 1, 2013

Rest in Peace. Brother.

P.O. Randy Evans
Kansas City Missouri Police Department
Son of Patrolman Robert Wayne Evans
E.O.W 10/14/1971
HEROES LIVE FOREVER

March 1, 2013

Rest in peace Sergeant, my thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the SCPD during this most difficult time.

Wm Jean-Paul Rochat
Swiss Army, MP Service, Trafic Unit

March 1, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

March 1, 2013

RIP Blue brother

Stephen Bruet PPO II
North Carolina Department of Public Safety

March 1, 2013

Rest in Peace Sergeant Loran Baker. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your family, and your department at this time. Thank you for your service to this country and your community.

Sgt. Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Department, Barnwell, SC

March 1, 2013

Rest in peace Sgt Baker. My sincere condolences to your family and to your Department. Godspeed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your service will not be forgotten.

OFC TERRY F. ZECH
VETERAN AFFAIRS POLICE , DETROIT, MICHIGAN

March 1, 2013

GOD BLESS OFFICER BAKER, HIS FAMILY AND HIS DEPARTMENT.

DEPUTY ALAN W. MOFFETT
RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (AUGUSTA, GA)

March 1, 2013

I have known Butch Baker since we were both recruits in the police academy in 1984. Butch was not what you would consider a cop’s cop. Please don’t take that as a slight towards him. I have tried to come up with the best way to describe Butch. I would say that he was part car salesman with an infectious boyhood charm. These together made him a very likeable sort. They also made him a very good cop as is proven by the many accolades he received during his career. We became close friends during the academy. We stayed friends after the academy and after he went to work for Santa Cruz PD and I went to work for the Merced County Sheriff’s Department. I spent some time with him when he was on patrol and after he became a detective. He was very proud to serve the citizens of Santa Cruz and he loved being a cop. We lost contact the way that happens with cops when they have families and move on to different jobs. I moved from California to Washington State in 1997, the same year that Butch was promoted to sergeant. I am very sad to not have talked to Butch in way too long. It saddens me even more to know that I will never have that opportunity again, at least in this life. I am very proud to have known Butch and even prouder to have called him friend. I will cherish many memories of our early days in law enforcement, the laughs, and Butch’s smile. You will truly be missed my Brother, by so many, whose lives you have touched. Rest in peace, you have earned your eternal rest. Like so many, I will be there to say good-bye and celebrate your life.

Detective David L. Coleman
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office (WA)

March 1, 2013

Horrible tragedy for the LE community, family & friends.
Good job taking care of the offender.

Detective Butler & Sgt Henry:

May your souls rest in peace and may God walk your families throughout this sorrowful time.

D. Cruz,Detective
Martin County Sheriff's Office (FL)

February 28, 2013

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sergeant Lora Baker and to the entire Santa Cruz Police Department. You years of service and dedication are not forgotten. RIP

Officer Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department

February 28, 2013

Regretably, two more names for the lions in DC to stand vigil over.....you are among heroes, and I will continue to use hard lessons learned to assure that those walls will never be filled.

Sergeant James T. Gartelman
OS, DT, and Firearms Instructor, U.S. Postal Srvice Police

February 28, 2013

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

February 28, 2013

On behalf of the Criminal Justice Capstone class of 2013 Heald College Modesto, CA. We would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker. We would like to thank Sgt. Baker for his bravery while serving the Law Enforcement Communities. We as soon to be Law Enforcement Officers, will make it our goal to represent those respected fallen Officers like Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker. Again thank you and God bless.

Heald College Modesto, CA
Criminal Justice Capstone class of 2013

February 28, 2013

Rest in Peace Brother , You have done your time in Hell.

#216 Sgt William Henry
Albany Police Dept.
Albany Ga, 31701

Sgt, William "Dale" Henry
Albany Police Department( Albany, Ga 31701)

February 28, 2013

REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU ARE A TRUE HERO.

Deputy J. D. Davis
Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office

February 28, 2013

My prayers go out to the families, friends and co-workers of these officers. May God comfort them at this time of loss and in the days ahead. RIP

Retired Lt. Tomi Tatum
Okla. Highway Patrol

February 28, 2013