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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Baca suffered a fatal heart attack after struggling with a subject during a domestic violence call on Ledge Road in Hinckley. At 4:15 p.m., Deputy Baca and two other deputies were sent to a home to quell a dispute between a husband a wife. Deputy Baca and another deputy struggle with the male subject. One deputy was pushed into a bee nest. The deputies were able to arrest the subject. Deputy Baca returned to his patrol vehicle, where he became unconscious. He was taken to a local hospital where he was unable to be revived. The suspect Deputy Baca was struggling with was committed to a state hospital. Deputy Baca had served with the Medina County Sheriff's Department for 15 years.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Baca gave the Medina County Sheriff's Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Medina community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Baca.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Joseph is the only officer of Medina County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 49 officers lost to illness in OH, 4.9% of the 993 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer in OH was lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 15.
In 1976, 1 officer in the United States was lost to illness, the 75th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1976, 8 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 60th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Joseph was 57. Of the 49 lost to illness in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 56; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Joseph was 57. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Joseph was 57. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
August holds 4.1% of these deaths in OH; October holds the most, 22.4%. Saturdays: 18.4%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Medina County Sheriff's Department.
Illness deaths account for 4.9% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Medina County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.