Santa Cruz city leaders make “Baker-Butler Memorial Day”

A memorial dedicated to two Santa Cruz police officers killed in the line of duty two years ago. On Tuesday, Santa Cruz city leaders voted to declare Feb. 26th as Baker-Butler Memorial Day.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, police officers and community members waited for the council’s final decision. As expected, Baker-Butler Memorial Day was declared by a unanimous vote. The meeting started with a moment of silence for the two fallen officers.

The new declaration will authorize city of Santa Cruz staff to lower flags at all city facilities to half-staff on this date each year.

Detective Elizabeth Butler was a 10-year veteran and wore many hats, served as a patrol officer, hostage negotiator, downtown bike officer, and then a detective.

Detective Sgt. Butch Baker was a veteran of the force and has three children, including a son who works for the Santa Cruz Police Department.

“It’s tremendously important to us at the Police Department that we never forget and I think that this will permanently memorialize this day in our community,” Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel said.

The Police Department has its own memorial for Baker and Butler. They’ve placed a bench and fountain with two plaques for the two officers. Vogel said Feb. 26 will allow everyone to honor and pay tribute to their service and their sacrifice.

On Thursday at 3:23 p.m., the time Baker and Butler were killed, the honor guard will perform at the memorial garden at the police station. Officers will also wear a black band over their badges as a sign of mourning Thursday.