Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

September 17th is an especially difficult day for me knowing that tragedy struck twice on this faithful day. On this day I lost two very important people from my life, one of those being you. There is an empty place and a sadness in my heart today as I reflect upon your memory. You are deeply missed and still very loved by those who knew you and called you a friend. You will never be forgotten Jason..... You remain eternally a hero in our hearts.

Olivia
IMPD

September 17, 2008

To the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Jason Baker and to his fellow officers, and most especially to Jason:

On behalf of our entire family, we wish to pay honor to Jason's memory on the seventh anniversary of the day Jason so tragically lost his life. His heroism, valor and bravery will be forever remembered.

May you be continue to be comforted by the support and caring of your law enforcement family, and other police survivors. I know from reading reflections your family has found some healing in helping other families on this painful journey. We grieve for you and with you.

Our family lost our beloved Larry Lasater when he was fatally shot in April of 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers, so we know the anquish you are still experiencing. We know the meaning of lives forever changed because those bullets didn't just kill our beloved officers, but killed a part of everyone who loved them so dearly.

Rest in Peace, Jason. May your spirit continue to soar and your memory continue to inspire.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the service Jason gave to his community and the citizens of Indiana, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on September 17, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg, CA PD eow 4/24/05

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

September 17, 2008

Another year remembering one of the worst nights of your friends lives. You were a hero that night and continue to be a hero and guardian angel to us. I'll always love ya brother. I know you have my back until I see you again.

Officer Paul Ziliak
IMPD

September 17, 2008

Hey Jason, I did not know you but I am sure, from the reflections left, that you were a great Deputy and great friend. Just wanted you and your colleagues know that you have not been forgotten and you never shall. Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Jason Baker, You will be missed but never forgotten...

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

September 17, 2008

I can't believe it's been 7 years Jason. I just wanted you and your family to know that you are not forgotten. I think of you often brother. I will see you tomorrow when I visit you. Thank you for making the supreme sacrafice to protect the citizens of our community. I hope that they never forget what you did that evening. God Bless.

Off. Brian A. McEwen
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

September 16, 2008

HEY JASON, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE LEFT A REFLECTION FOR YOU BUT I THOUGHT WITH WHAT TODAY IS BEING THE ANNIVARSARY OF SEPT 11TH AND A FEW DAYS FROM NOW WILL BE THE ANNIVASARY OF YOUR DEATH. I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND I THINK ABOUT YOU OFTEN. YOU ARE A HERO!

PATROLMAN
IMPD

September 11, 2008

Jason,

I always think about you this time of the year, memorial weekend, we always goto "The 500". When were driving around the streets, the traffic, the people, I always think of ya. Just letting you know your not forgotten.

Jeff

Jeff Miller - Patrolman Retired
Huber Heights Police - Friend

May 20, 2008

Never forgotten.

April 12, 2008

i miss u buddy

david
friend

December 30, 2007

Merry Christmas.

Family

December 26, 2007

Jason,
We are remembering you this Christmas Day!

Randy Bennett
Henry Co. Sheriff's Dept. (Indiana)

December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas Jason.... Know that you are missed and that the stories of your life and legacy still carry on with those who knew and loved you. You would be pleased to know that Ziliak walks by my side now. He's my big brother and the lifeline that ensures that I make home safely each and every nite. We talk about you often and it's comforting to share stories that make us laugh and recall the friend behind the badge. The pain of your loss has started to turn into more of a celebration of your life. You will always be remembered as our hero, but more importanly as our friend. You are always in our hearts.

Olivia Bays
IMPD-Marion Co. Sheriff in heart

December 25, 2007

Rest in Peace. Thank you for your sacrifice. God Bless your family.

J Thompson
Cornelius Police Department (Detective)

October 23, 2007

Never Forgotten

September 17, 2007

A good crowd today - you would have loved it!

September 9, 2007

I am so thankful that our lives crossed paths at the academy. You were such a great friend. You and Cat made my time there a blast and full of fun memories and good times! As I sit here today and read others reflections, I still get emotional now as the night I received the news you had been shot. Thanks for being such a true friend and a great running buddy. You are missed.

Lisa
Fishers PD

August 31, 2007

Of all of the changes made in this past year, please know that you were always in my heart and thoughts. I miss you today as I did 6 years ago my friend. I believe I made a promise to you and that was for your legacy to live on. Regardless as to what new name our department may have, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. I will do my part to make sure of that! On September 9th, regardless as to how SORE I may be from the IU mini the day before, I will run in your name and in your memory. I love and miss you Jason. I'll be sure to give your dad a hug from you!

Olivia
IMPD, with MCSD in my heart

August 27, 2007

It's Saturday August 18th. I was surfing the net and stopped by the ODMP. Don't know why but I was compelled to bring your's up Jason.

It'll be six years next month...I'll be running at the scholarship run we've had in your honor every year since you left.

I sometimes think of our times at dispatch, the Academy and the brief time we worked middle shift together. A lot has changed since you left bro...we don't wear brown anymore! I think you would've hated this merger they've forced on us. As I remember, you only wanted to be a Deputy Sheriff.

I'll see you again....but not yet.

Patrolman
IMPD

August 18, 2007

"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
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

July 31, 2007

Just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you today. We were talking about you last night at work and how you are missed.

Your friends at Johnson Co. send their love. I am still trying to keep Mark Patterson in line, it's not easy.

Thanks for being a positive influence in my life.

Love Always,

Michael Watkins
Greenwood City PD - Dispatch

July 8, 2007

Soon it will be 6 years since you were called away from duty. You have not been forgotten by those that love you as they think of you every day. You are a true hero and heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 2, 2007

I remember Jason as being the one at the academy with a lot of energy. He was a great police officer, and a great friend. We were supposed to get together and trade law enforcement patches but I guess it was never supposed to happen. Take care my friend.

patrolman
Flora Police Department

June 27, 2007

My dear Friend,
I wanted to drop by and leave a little note that I was thinking of you last month during police memorial week. Of course I think about you everyday. Some days are harder than others. I sure do miss ya and all the great times we had as friends. I know you know how many people think about you everyday even after 6 years my friend. Yesterday I was swimming over at dads and we talked about you as he often does. He was very proud of you Jason not only as a Deputy but as a friend to him and our family. Continue to watch over all of us and keep us close to you. I love ya buddy.

Officer Jason Cottey A221
Indianapolis Metro Police Dept

June 14, 2007

I am so thankful for the people that continue to honor you. While I appreciate all of the official memorials, I wish there was an outlet to remind everyone of how goofy you were sometimes...You were a funny kid! I am blessed to have all of my fun-Jason memories.

We won't forget!

June 10, 2007

Jason,
I think of you often, as your father has been so instrumental in helping our department through a rough couple of years with the murders of the Mishawaka officers, then our two here in SB. I remember how goofy you were at the academy, and so gung-ho about being a cop. We all never realized that we would be shortly losing two good cops from our academy class. Rick Ruszkowski and I went to your funeral and commented on how enormous it was. Little did we know how soon we would be attending several funerals closer to home. You are in good company up there, take care of Scott Severns and Nick Polizzotto for us, show Nick around, he just got there. Thanks to your dad, too, for taking care of us. You will never be forgotten!

Det. Meredith (Mickels) Hanley
South Bend Police Dept. (ILEA 99-139)

Det. Meredith Hanley
South Bend Police Dept.

May 30, 2007