STHS lowers flag to half-staff for fallen state trooper

The American flag in front of St. Tammany Health System’s main Covington campus flies at half-staff on Thursday (May 28) in honor of fallen Louisiana State Police Trooper George Baker. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)

By STHS Communication Department

St. Tammany Health System lowered its American flag to half-staff on Thursday (May 28) in honor of Louisiana State Police Trooper George Baker, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month.

Baker, who joined the State Police in 2017, died Sunday morning after being injured during a vehicle pursuit while assisting the Hammond Police Department early Wednesday morning (May 20).

He was the first Louisiana State Police trooper to die in the line of duty since 2015 and the first member of the Mandeville-based Troop L to die in the line of duty since 1962.

Before serving with the State Police, the 33-year-old Baker served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including one combat deployment in the Middle East. He also worked for four years with the Greensburg Police Department and seven years with the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office, according to a State Police news release.

“Trooper Baker passed today leaving our hearts heavy but full of pride as he exemplified our values of duty, selfless service, and personal courage,” State Police Superintendent Col. Kevin Reeves said.