A Day of Remembrance for Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler

February 26, 2013 will be a day that we all will never forget. On this day, Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler were tragically killed in the line-of-duty.

The Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard led a solemn 43 minute ceremony in remembrance of that fateful day. The timing is significant because Butch and Elizabeth lost their lives on February 26, 2013 at 3:23 p.m. and the individual responsible for this horrific rampage was stopped at 4:06 p.m.

Sergeant Loran "Butch" Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace knowing your fellow brothers and sisters are watching over your family and continuing the Watch.

The Baker-Butler Memorial Garden stands as a tribute to our fallen friends and heroes. The creation of this beautiful garden was labor of love. View the evolution of the Baker-Butler Memorial Garden.

"Building the Memorial Garden" is available on SCPD YouTube Channel https://goo.gl/uG5XKS

SCPD is grateful to all those who put in many hours and worked tirelessly to make this Baker-Butler Memorial Garden happen.

Our SCPD family has been humbled by the outpouring of support and respect both towards our Officers and the Baker and Butler families since the tragic day. SCPD is forever grateful and we vow to continue our tradition of service as we move forward keeping the City of Santa Cruz safe.

SCPD Attends California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony

On Monday, Santa Cruz Police Honor Guard representatives attended the 2013 ceremony for the California Peace Officers' Memorial.  Our Honor Guard accompanied the Baker family to the ceremony.  In next year's ceremony, (May 2014) Sergeant Butch Baker and Officer Elizabeth Butler will be added to the names on the memorial.  

California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies have been conducted in the State Capitol since 1977. It is a ceremony that honors the officers who have fallen in the line-of-duty the preceding year, recognizing the sacrifice of those loved and left behind.  To learn more about the California Peace Officers' Memorial, click below:

http://www.camemorial.org/
 
A short video is available here or on our YouTube Channel:

California Peace Officers' Memorial Video

On May 1st we also attended the Monterey County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony where Sergeant Baker and Officer Butler were honored. 

 
In addition to the California Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony, National Police Week will be recognized May 12th through May 18th.  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.To learn more about the National Law Enforcement Memorial click below:

http://www.nleomf.org/

Honor Guard Participates in Memorial Ceremony

Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard members joined thousands of police officers and families  in Sacramento this week for the California State Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony.  The ceremony took place near the state capitol building. Last year, the number of officers killed in the line of duty increased by 14 percent nationwide.

 

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/03/4462031/three-memorial-events-in-sacramento.html#storylink=cpy

SCPD Honor Guard Selections

The Santa Cruz Police Department announced the addition of two officers to the agency's Honor Guard. Officer Alec Ganzel and Officer Chris Vigil are the newest additions to the department's voluntary team. Both these members are military veterans and took part in the City's Veteran’s Day recognition with the Honor Guard in 2011.  This was the first ceremony of its kind in the City of Santa Cruz.  Over the years, the team has participated in multiple ceremonies representing the department including Cookies for Courage (9-11 remembrance), the annual Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in Sacramento, the passing of law enforcement officers and the chief's investiture. The team is led by Lt. Larry Richard. Here is a photo from last year of the team.

Photos from City Employee Veteran's Celebration

Here are some photos from yesterday's event at City Hall that honored City employees that served in the armed forces. Mayor Ryan Coonerty read a proclamation deeming November 9th City Employee Veteran Appreciation Day in the City of Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard and Marine Corps Color Guard from Monterey participated in the event.

Veteran's Day Ceremony - City Hall Courtyard on Wednesday November 9th @ noon

In honor of Veteran's Day, the City of Santa Cruz will recognize City staff who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  Please join the Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard and Mayor Ryan Coonerty for a special ceremony on Wednesday November 9th to honor City employees who served our country.   The short ceremony will take place in the City Hall Courtyard.  Members of the community are invited to attend. 

Event Details:

Wednesday - November, 9th
Noon
City Hall Courtyard

SCPD Honor Guard Participates in Memorial Event

The Santa Cruz Police Department Honor Guard joined hundreds of friends, family, city officials and police representatives in a moving memorial event for Deputy City Attorney Celestial Cassman Saturday at Lighthouse Point. Celestial was a good friend of SCPD and will be deeply missed. 

Here are some photos from the event courtesy of Brad Kava of Patch.com. For an article on the memorial please click here.

Photos from Cookies for Courage Event!

Check out the photos from today's wonderful event at Holy Cross Elementary School.