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Incident
Chief Hank Baker succumbed to injuries sustained the previous day when he was struck by a train. He was searching a train for a wanted man and as he stepped off of it he stepped into the patch of an oncoming engine.
His leg was severed by the train's wheels and he died from his injury the following day.
Chief Baker was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Survivors
Chief Baker was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Chief of Police Baker served with the North Platte Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the North Platte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Baker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
North Platte Police Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Hank is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 remembered there.
Hank is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hank 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 1916, 1 officer in NE was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1916, 48 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1916, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Hank was 54. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40.
Hank was 54. 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.
Hank was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
November holds 5.6% of these deaths in NE; January holds the most, 13.9%. Thursdays: 13.9%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at North Platte Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, 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
North Platte Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Hank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from North Platte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
