John Baird

Riverside Police Department — Riverside, CA

Felonious

End of Watch December 15, 1912

Age 33

The Vigil Panel 27 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

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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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.
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

Department Riverside Police Department

Location Riverside, CA

Platform Identity rpd.riverside.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 15, 1912

Age 33

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Released in 1919

Acting Chief of Police John Baird 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Riverside Police Department

of 15 officers

93.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious