Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, West Virginia
End of Watch Friday, June 3, 2022
Add to My HeroesThomas E. Baker, III
Deputy Sheriff Tom Baker was shot and killed after he and another deputy responded to a domestic disturbance in the Birch River area of the county.
He and his partner were talking to two men who had come out of a trailer. Both men ran back into the trailer as the deputies pursued them and attempted to apprehend them by deploying a Taser. Once inside the trailer, the men opened fire on the deputies.
Deputy Baker was struck in the back, and his partner was wounded in the leg as they sought cover outside of the trailer. Despite their wounds, they were able to return fire. One subject was apprehended following a barricade. The second man was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the voluntary manslaughter charge and another 1-5 years on the conspiracy charge.
Deputy Baker had served in law enforcement for a total of 19 years. He was the deputy who found Deputy Sheriff William Giacomo on September 11, 2000. Prior to joining the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, he served with the Cowen Police Department, Summersville Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff's Department, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
He is survived by his wife, two children, two step-children, a grandmother, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 48
- Tour 19 years
- Badge 223
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Committed Suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 107 ReflectionsPopped onto odmp to check in. Godspeed to you and your family. It was a honor to work along side with you for those years. Until we meet again brother.
Former Nicholas County Deputy
February 23, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Allan Reddins
Oak Park Police Department, IL
EOW: November 29, 2024
Police Officer Jesse Branch
Red Lake Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: November 27, 2024
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Love
United States Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, US
EOW: October 19, 2024
Police Officer Cooper Dawson
Greenville Police Department, TX
EOW: November 26, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 25, 2024
Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson
Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, TX
EOW: November 22, 2024
Major Michelle Lynn Quintero
Madison County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 27, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, Jr.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024
Corporal Luis Paez
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2024