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Incident
Police Officer Scott Baird was killed after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to move an obstruction from a roadway in the early morning hours.
The obstruction was a 200-pound batting cage that had been placed in the road behind a high school as a prank. Officer Baird was struck by the cage after the cage was hit by a vehicle.
Officer Baird had served with the Gainesville Police Department for two years. He had recently been named "Most Popular Officer" by local businesses.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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.
Police Officer Baird gave the Gainesville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Baird.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gainesville Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Scott is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Scott is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Scott is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 8 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Scott was 23. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Scott had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Scott was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Scott had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Scott was 23. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Scott had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.5% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Mondays: 16.6%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Gainesville Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Gainesville Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Scott among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Gainesville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
