Roll of Honor
Incident
Acting Chief of Police John Baird was shot and killed by a fellow officer he was reprimanding for drinking while on duty at the Riverside Police Department at 12:15 am. The officer who shot him had been sent to a brothel for an investigation. Acting Chief Baird responded to the scene to assist him but smelled alcohol on his breath. He began to reprimand the officer when a third officer arrived and suggested they return to the station and not quarrel in public. When the officers convened in the chief's office, the officer shot Acting Chief Baird in the head three times, killing him. The 52-year-old officer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in San Quentin Prison. He was released on July 13, 1919. Acting Chief of Police Baird served as the Chief of Police until a new Chief of Police could be appointed. News articles state that he was to have been announced as the new Police Chief the next day. Deputy Chief Baird is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Acting Chief of Police Baird served with the Riverside Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Acting Chief of Police Baird.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Acting Chief of Police John Baird is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Riverside Police Department, 14 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 93.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Baird's cause is highlighted.
How John Baird Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Baird is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Baird was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
