Roll of Honor
Thomas E. Baker, III
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Tom Baker was shot and killed after he and another deputy responded to a domestic disturbance in the Birch River area of the county.
He and his partner were talking to two men who had come out of a trailer. Both men ran back into the trailer as the deputies pursued them and attempted to apprehend them by deploying a Taser. Once inside the trailer, the men opened fire on the deputies.
Deputy Baker was struck in the back, and his partner was wounded in the leg as they sought cover outside of the trailer. Despite their wounds, they were able to return fire. One subject was apprehended following a barricade. The second man was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the voluntary manslaughter charge and another 1-5 years on the conspiracy charge.
Deputy Baker had served in law enforcement for a total of 19 years. He was the deputy who found Deputy Sheriff William Giacomo on September 11, 2000. Prior to joining the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, he served with the Cowen Police Department, Summersville Police Department, Raleigh County Sheriff's Department, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
He is survived by his wife, two children, two step-children, a grandmother, and two sisters.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, two step-children, a grandmother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-71B09BBD- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Baker gave the Nicholas County Sheriff's Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Summersville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Thomas E. Baker, III 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 WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 18.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nicholas County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 3 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. Thomas E. Baker, III's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas E. Baker, III Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed Suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas E. Baker, III is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas E. Baker, III was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nicholas County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
