Tributes Paid at Funeral for Slain Pennsylvania Detectives

Mon Sep 29 2025 03:23:00 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Three detectives from the Northern York County Regional Police tragically lost their lives while responding to a domestic stalking incident. Their funeral saw heartfelt tributes from colleagues and family.

Cody Michael Becker, Mark Edward Baker, and Isaiah Emenheiser were remembered as dedicated officers and loving family men at a memorial service in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, one week after they were shot while attempting to arrest a stalking suspect. The service included emotional testimonies highlighting their bravery and professional service, as they are survived by their families amid this tragic loss.

RED LION, Pa. (RTW News) — Three Pennsylvania detectives shot to death last week while attempting to arrest a stalking suspect were remembered at their funeral Thursday as exemplary officers and devoted family men.

The service for Northern York County Regional Police detectives Cody Michael Becker, Mark Edward Baker, and Isaiah Emenheiser was held more than a week after they were ambushed by a man who had been inside the home of a woman he was accused of stalking.

“They were gentle, they were kind,” Northern Regional Chief David L. Lash recalled in a eulogy. “They confronted some of the most evil human behaviors imaginable. And not only did they face those challenges, they did so while holding fast to faith, compassion and uncompromising honor.”

Hundreds of police officers attended the service at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, where a motorcade brought their flag-draped caskets from a funeral home.

Lash honored the fallen officers, stating, “The best of us. Their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the cost of service but also the courage required to stand in the face of darkness.”

Autopsy results revealed all three officers died from multiple gunshot wounds, as revealed by York County District Attorney Tim Barker. He recounted how the stalking suspect, 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, fired on the officers as they entered the woman’s residence, with two additional officers sustaining serious injuries. Ruth is believed to have planned the ambush.

The officers were honored for their service with heartfelt memories shared by friends and family during the ceremony. Becker, 39, had dedicated 16 years to the force, while Baker, 53, specialized in computer forensics and served as a U.S. Army veteran. Emenheiser, 43, was known for his fitness coaching and community involvement.

Inside the service, loved ones expressed their loss, with emotional tributes highlighting Becker's past bravery during a rescue mission in a burning building, and Baker's commitment as a father, all recalling cherished moments fondly.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by law enforcement professionals who often deal with life-threatening situations to protect their communities.