On November 3rd, 1965, Dayton Police Patrolman Richard O. Baker was responding to a call when he suffered critical injuries in a vehicle collision.

He had been out on motorcycle patrol and was heading southbound into an intersection where the light had just turned green. But at the same time, the driver of a northbound semi—who had been stopped at the red light—suddenly started to turn left, directly into Patrolman Baker’s path. The truck driver finally saw him and slammed on his brakes, but it was too late. That’s when the truck’s right front end collided with Baker’s cycle, and he was thrown to the pavement.

Richard died of his injuries two days later, on November 5th, 1965.

Patrolman Baker was 35 years old at the time of his death, and had served with the Dayton Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, daughter, father, mother, and brother.

Richard was highly respected within the department, where he had received numerous commendations for outstanding service. Before joining the force, he had graduated from the University of Dayton and worked for the Sun Oil Company. Ever since early childhood, when his father worked as a dispatcher, he had been enthralled with police work.