Prev
Incident
Acting Chief of Police John Baird was shot and killed by a fellow officer he was reprimanding for drinking while on duty at the Riverside Police Department at 12:15 am. The officer who shot him had been sent to a brothel for an investigation. Acting Chief Baird responded to the scene to assist him but smelled alcohol on his breath. He began to reprimand the officer when a third officer arrived and suggested they return to the station and not quarrel in public. When the officers convened in the chief's office, the officer shot Acting Chief Baird in the head three times, killing him. The 52-year-old officer was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in San Quentin Prison. He was released on July 13, 1919. Acting Chief of Police Baird served as the Chief of Police until a new Chief of Police could be appointed. News articles state that he was to have been announced as the new Police Chief the next day. Deputy Chief Baird is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqgydp84fc1xhh53n52v- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Acting Chief of Police Baird served with the Riverside Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Acting Chief of Police Baird.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Riverside Police Department has lost 15 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 1 officer at Riverside Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1971, with 2.
In 1912, 8 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 33. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Riverside Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 35; the middle age was 32.
John was 33. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
John was 33. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Riverside Police Department; November holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 35.7%.
December holds 8.2% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 93.3% of all 15 deaths at Riverside Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Riverside Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
John Baird
Dec 15, 1912
-
Del MacIntyre
Jul 1, 1917
-
Clinton Burtner
Dec 4, 1938
-
Edward A. Bertino
Feb 3, 1940
-
Arthur Simpson
Mar 5, 1944
-
Leonard A. Christiansen
Apr 2, 1971
-
Paul C. Teel
Apr 2, 1971
-
William C. Prettyman
Dec 12, 1973
-
Larry Eugene Walters
Nov 13, 1974
-
Dennis Charles Doty
May 13, 1982
-
Philip N. Trust
May 13, 1982
-
Claire Nicole Carolyn Connelly
Jul 12, 1998
-
Charles D. Jacobs, III
Jan 13, 2001
-
Ryan Patrick Bonaminio
Nov 7, 2010
-
Michael Daniel Crain
Feb 7, 2013
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Riverside Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
