Trooper dies of injuries suffered in on-duty death

HAMMOND, La. – A Louisiana state trooper injured last week during a vehicle pursuit died Sunday morning, state police and the governor’s office said.

Trooper George Baker, 33, was assisting the Hammond Police Department with the pursuit around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday.

State police said Baker and another trooper were in a roadway removing a tire deflation device that had flattened the tires of the suspects’ car when they were struck by a Hammond police car.

One trooper was treated and released but Baker was critically injured. Baker was the first Louisiana State Police member to die in the line of duty since 2015. He was the 30th to die in the line of duty in the agency’s history, state police said.

Baker had been with Louisiana State Police Troop L since 2017. He had previously served with the Greensburg Police Department and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve member for eight years, according to state police.

He was married and had one daughter.

“His selfless commitment to his fellow Louisianans represents the best of us and he continues to serve even after his passing by having his organs donated to help others in need,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a news release expressing his, and his wife Donna’s, sympathy.

“Please join Donna and me in praying for Trooper Baker, his wife Heather, daughter Harper, family, friends and countless others as they mourn this great loss,” the statement said.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the chase, which news outlets said began when a vehicle deemed suspicious sped away after being spotted by a Hammond police officer.