Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman August Baker was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who had been involved in a fight at a saloon in Shantaytown.
Patrolman Baker was making the arrest on Wineow Street when the man suddenly produced a revolver and shot him. Patrolman Baker was transported to Allegany Hospital, where he died from his wounds two days later.
The suspect was apprehended and taken to the Allegany County Jail. A crowd of 200 citizens formed at the jail following Patrolman Baker's death. When the lone deputy inside refused to open the doors, the mob grabbed a utility pole and knocked the door down. They then attacked the deputy and again used the utility pole to knock down the cell door. The suspect was dragged from the jail and beaten almost to death before his limp body was shot 12 times by the mob.
Patrolman Baker had served with the Cumberland Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-E41D7128- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Baker gave the Cumberland Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cumberland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman August Baker is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. August Baker's cause is highlighted.
How August Baker Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched by citizens
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. August Baker is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. August Baker was killed by handgun; revolver.