PAST LOSSES :


Capt. Eddie McGowan
and wife, Vicki
 Clinton Fire Department, MS
August 13, 2007



 

RECENT LOSS :

Paul Baker
Turtle Creek Volunteer
Fire Department
Benton, AR
August 10, 2007

Firefighter Dies In Accident
At I-30 Crash Scene

Authorities say Baker was killed in early morning when he fell
off a bridge while working an accident on Interstate 30 near Benton.

Lt. Paul D. Baker, 39, of Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department,
lost his footing while involved in an extrication of a patient from a single-vehicle crash on the I-30 bridge over the Saline River.

Baker fell about 40 feet, landing on the river bank. Some rescue personnel from Benton and Turtle Creek ran to assist him, while others remained with the seriously injured, trapped patient, said Benton Fire Chief Ben Blankenship. However, Baker was pronounced dead at the scene.


Less than 12 hours after the fall, his fellow firefighters have already placed a memorial at the scene of the accident. "It hurt. You know, not only was he a fellow firefighter but he was a good friend," says firefighter Brennan Bosley. “He was always the guy that was on us about safety and for that to happen it just blows us away.”

Baker has been with the department for 23 years. He was currently working as a lieutenant assigned to Station 1. He started volunteering when he was just 19. His brothers call him the "go to man" who was always fixing things and keeping the trucks in good shape.

Baker is married and is described as a loving father of three children and one granddaughter who enjoyed being outdoors, and his friends say most importantly helping others. His wife also is a volunteer, but she was not on the call Friday morning.

For the brotherhood of firefighters, they say they will remain committed to his memory and prayer for his family. Lt. Paul Baker, a hero who died working to save another.

Memorials may be made to the Baker Family at
Regions Bank in Benton, 146 W. South St. Benton 72015.

 


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