Madison County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch: Monday, January 5, 1998
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 27 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: January 5, 1998
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Sheriff Ralph Baker drowned after his cruiser was washed into a flooded river while he was searching for a stolen vehicle. He was attempting to cross a low water bridge which was covered with water. After the cruiser was washed into the creek it flipped over trapping him inside. He was found still in his seatbelt.
Sheriff Baker had been employed with the Madison County Sheriff's Department for 27 years, 25 of which as the sheriff.
He is survived by his wife and two children.