Memorial service honors fallen Neb. corrections officer

Officers from more than a dozen law enforcement and corrections departments joined family and friends for the celebration of Amanda Baker’s life

February 24, 2014 04:58 AM

Ron Dean, Scotts Bluff County Corrections Department operations manager, holds a flag before services for Amanda Baker on Saturday. During the funeral, Dean presented the flag to Baker’s 6-year-old son. The flag had flown at the detention center until the its cord broke on the same day as Baker’s death, Dean said.

By Maunette Leks
World-Herald News

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — “May you pass through the gates of heaven knowing you had a lifetime of blessings,” Amanda Baker once wrote in a poem. On Saturday, her poem “Lifetime of Blessings” was read at the slain corrections officer’s memorial service.

Officers from more than a dozen law enforcement and corrections departments joined family and friends for the celebration of Baker’s life at Monument Bible Church. She died Feb. 16 after being strangled inside the cell of a juvenile inmate at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center two days before.

More than 25 members from the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation traveled from across the United States to help pay tribute. Linda Dizmon, media coordinator for the foundation, said the organization formed in 1984 to honor fallen corrections officers and help their families.

Full story: Memorial service honors fallen Scottsbluff corrections officer

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