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Incident
Sheriff Ralph Baker drowned after his cruiser was washed into a flooded river while he was searching for a stolen vehicle. He was attempting to cross a low water bridge which was covered with water. After the cruiser was washed into the creek it flipped over trapping him inside. He was found still in his seatbelt. Sheriff Baker had been employed with the Madison County Sheriff's Department for 27 years, 25 of which as the sheriff.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Baker gave the Madison County Sheriff's Office 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Huntsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Madison County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Ralph is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ralph 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 1998, 7 officers in AR were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ralph was 59. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Ralph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 59. 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. Ralph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 59. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ralph had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 3.3% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Mondays: 9.8%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, 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
Madison County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
