[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              REMEMBERING LORAN BAKER AND ELIZABETH BUTLER

 Mrs. BOXER. Madam President, today I ask my colleagues to join 
me in paying tribute to Loran ``Butch'' Baker and Elizabeth Butler, two 
members of the Santa Cruz Police Department who were recently killed in 
the line of duty. These extraordinary officers dedicated their lives to 
their family, community, and Nation. Their courage and dedication 
inspired all who were lucky enough to know them, and they will be 
deeply missed.
  A 28-year veteran of the Santa Cruz Police Department, Detective 
Sergeant Baker was one of the most experienced and respected officers 
in Santa Cruz. He loved his job and served as a friend and mentor to 
many Central Coast law enforcement officials, including his son, Adam, 
who in 2010 joined the department as a community service officer. 
Detective Sergeant Baker was in turn inspired by his son, noting that 
he saw in Adam glimpses of himself when he had first started police 
work. Father and son relished working together. Adam called his dad 
``Sarge'' at work, and the two had mailboxes next to each other marked 
``Baker'' and ``A. Baker.''
  Detective Sergeant Baker, a graduate of San Jose's Bellarmine College 
Preparatory and Fresno City College, patrolled Pacific Avenue, Santa 
Cruz's downtown strip and he was easy to spot. As one friend noted, 
``Even in the dead of winter, he always wore his signature shorts.'' 
Detective Sergeant Baker also worked in community services and hostage 
negotiations, served as a field training officer, and was one of the 
founding members of the DUI Enforcement Team. He was well known for his 
fantastic sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his commitment to 
the community that loved him so much.
  Detective Butler, a 10-year veteran of the Santa Cruz Police 
Department, grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Santa Cruz in 1992 to 
attend UC Santa Cruz, where she graduated as a community studies major. 
Filled with idealism and a passion for helping others, she first 
focused her talents on community development lending with the nonprofit 
Opportunity Fund and then Wells Fargo Bank, before settling into her 
career with the Santa Cruz Police Department. During her tenure, she 
worked as a patrol officer, hostage negotiator, downtown foot and bike 
officer, and agent assigned to the Santa Cruz County drug task force.
  Detective Butler dearly loved living and working in Santa Cruz. She 
savored the morning buns rolled in sugar from Kelly's French Bakery and 
the sweeping views of Santa Cruz from atop a roller coaster at the 
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. ``I enjoy living and working in Santa Cruz 
because one can enjoy the ocean, the mountains, interesting people, and 
a healthy lifestyle all in one spot,'' she once wrote. Detective Butler 
was known by friends and family as warm, caring, and funny. Above all, 
she loved spending time with her partner and two young sons.
  On behalf of the people of California, whom they served so valiantly, 
I extend my deepest sympathies to Detective Sergeant Baker's wife, 
Kelly, and three children, Adam, Ashley, and Jillian; Detective 
Butler's partner, Peter, and two sons, Joaquin and Stellan; and their 
extended families, colleagues, and friends.

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