Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 16 years, 6 months, 19 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Operational Services - Special Operations Group: Unit 701 - Public Transportation Section
District of Incident (Present Day): 002 - Wentworth
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 45
Timeline
Date of Birth: 30 Aug 1938
Date of Appointment: 13 Nov 1967
Date of Incident: 02 Jun 1984
End of Watch: 02 Jun 1984
Date of Interment: 07 Jun 1984
Interment Details
Cemetery: Lincoln Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case:
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 2
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, line 40
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 34-E: 13
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: YES, Branch Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Curtis Ronald Baker, Star #12212, aged 45 years, was a 16 year, 6 month, 19 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Operational Services – Special Operations Group: Unit 701 – Public Transportation Section Tactical Unit.
On June 2, 1984, at 1:40 a.m., Officer Baker was off duty and in plainclothes when he was escorting a woman to her apartment in the Robert Taylor Homes at 4500 South Federal Street. Three men, Bernard Lash, age 19, of 4500 South State Street, David Govan, age 24, of 4500 South State Street and Eugene Jackson, age 19, of 4500 South State Street, trailed the pair when one shouted “stickup.“ The incident occurred in the 4th floor stairwell. Officer Baker drew his gun from its holster but was shot by Lash before he could fire his weapon. All three offenders fled without taking anything. Officer Baker sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, the bullet perforating the heart and liver. He was transported to Michael Reese Hospital by CFD Ambulance #35 where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Alverdi at 2:00 a.m. on June 2, 1984.
Bernard Lash, David Govan and Eugene Jackson were later identified and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. All three were ordered held without bond.
Officer Baker was waked at th House of Branch Funeral Home located at 3125 West Roosevelt Road. His funeral mass was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church located at 8301 South Damen Avenue. He was laid to rest on June 7, 1984 in Lincoln Cemetery, 12300 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Patrolman Curtis Ronald Baker, born August 30, 1938, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on November 13, 1967.
Officer Baker served in the Armed Forces from 1961 to 1963 and was Honorably Discharged. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Baker was survived by his wife, Patricia Elaine (nee Box); children: Keith LaMar, age 16 and Kimberly LaShawn, age 18 and parents: Donester Virginia (nee Baker) and Ross.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #F198923.
May my Grandfather Rest in Peace.
I wish I could have met you.
Thanks for being a leader in the community.
I’m 27 years old working and building a better life.
My birthday is your star number 1-22.
Rest in Peace your son Keith Baker my father.
Hi dad…this is your daughter….I love you always…what has happened with me since that dreadful day of June 2, 1984…I graduated from Grambling State University with a degree in Criminal Justice…I still want to be an Attorney but that has not happened yet…I have 1 daughter….she is 33 years old…Keith has 2 sons….35 and 28 years old….we lost Keith January 21, 2021…your wife…my mom Patricia has been sad since June 2, 1984….I Noa have a Maaters degree in mathematics…and I teach in Division 11 at Cook County Jail…I always miss you…And I will always love you…RIP daddy…You will never be forgotten…Kim