Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Curtis R. Baker was shot to death during an armed robbery at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the fourth-floor stairwell of the Robert Taylor Homes at 4500 South State Street. Officer Baker was escorting a tenant into the building. Three men trailed them when one of them announced a robbery. Officer Baker attempted to draw his service revolver, however, one of the assailants opened fire, fatally striking him once in the left side of the chest before he could fire his pistol. Officer Baker was pronounced dead at 2:00 a.m. at Michael Reese Hospital. Officer Baker had served with the Chicago Police Department for 16 years and was assigned to the Mass Transit Unit.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-DB5CCF23- 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.
Police Officer Baker gave the Chicago Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Curtis R. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Curtis R. Baker's cause is highlighted.
How Curtis R. Baker Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Curtis R. Baker is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Curtis R. Baker was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
