Barbourville Police Department, Kentucky
End of Watch Sunday, December 25, 1921
Add to My HeroesRussell Baker
Chief Russ Baker was shot and killed at Elys Station on Christmas Day as he and a Knox County deputy questioned several men who had fired a pistol.
Chief Baker had just been appointed police chief in Barbourville and was traveling there with his wife, the deputy, and the deputy's sister. After passing a group of men, one of the subjects fired a pistol. Chief Baker and the deputy turned back to search the men.
The chief had just disarmed one of the men when another one began to stab Chief Baker in the back. Chief Baker turned shot the man three times, killing him.
In the ensuing shootout, Chief Baker and two other men from the group were fatally shot. The deputy was wounded in the forearm.
Chief Baker was survived by his wife and is buried in the Hinyar Cemetery, Hinyar, Kentucky.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Not available
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsChief Baker,
On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Barbourville.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
December 25, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024