Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Loran Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler were shot and killed as they followed up on a sexual assault investigation at a residence in the 800 block of North Branciforte Avenue at approximately 3:30 pm.
The suspect who was inside the residence, opened the door and immediately shot and fatally wounded both officers. He then stole both of their handguns and fled the scene in their unmarked vehicle.
He was located nearby approximately 30 minutes later and was shot and killed when he opened fire on responding officers. The subject was wearing body armor at the time he was killed by other officers.
Sergeant Baker had served with the Santa Cruz Police Department for 28 years. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, parents, and sister. Sergeant Baker's son also serves with the Santa Cruz Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, parents, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-7D25EE78- 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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Baker gave the Santa Cruz Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Cruz community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Loran Lee "Butch" Baker, Jr. 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 Santa Cruz Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Loran Lee "Butch" Baker, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Loran Lee "Butch" Baker, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Loran Lee "Butch" Baker, Jr. is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Loran Lee "Butch" Baker, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Santa Cruz Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
