PEMBROKE PINES, FL. (THECOUNT) — John Baker, 62, a retired Pembroke Pines police sergeant, has been identified as the man killed Monday morning in an apparent murder-suicide involving his wife, Joanne Baker, 59, at their home in Broward County, Florida.
Pembroke Pines police officers and fire department paramedics responded to the residence around 7:12 a.m. on Monday, September 21, after a 911 call reported two people found unresponsive. Authorities arrived at the home in the 8300 block of Pine Drive and found John and Joanne Baker deceased, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Advertisement
A preliminary investigation determined that Joanne shot and killed her husband before taking her own life, authorities said. The motive and circumstances leading up to the shootings have not been established. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death, while the investigation remains ongoing.
Following the deaths, the Pembroke Pines Police Department released a statement mourning Baker, who served the city for nearly 28 years before retiring. He joined the department in 1994 and held numerous positions throughout his career, including road patrol officer, field training officer, master patrol officer, public information officer, traffic homicide investigator and Traffic Unit sergeant.
Baker was also a founding member of the department’s Crisis Response Team, which was created to assist first responders during times of tragedy. The department said he was passionate about traffic safety and regularly worked with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, including volunteering at the nonprofit organization’s events.
Outside of his law enforcement career, Baker was a father of three who enjoyed traveling and music. He frequently attended concerts with his family, according to the police department. Officials described him as someone whose positive and joyful personality continued despite the challenges he faced following a serious work-related injury.
That injury occurred on August 10, 2019, when Baker was involved in a serious on-duty motorcycle crash after a car turned in front of his path. The crash left him with critical injuries that affected his speech and movement.
With the help of his loved ones and medical team, Baker eventually regained limited motor skills. Despite the lasting effects of the accident, he remained active in the community and participated in charity races through Special Compass, a local nonprofit that assists children and families with disabilities.
The department also said Baker participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run, continuing his involvement in community activities after the crash. His service and resilience were highlighted in the department’s statement following his death.
“The entire PPPD family mourns the sudden loss of Sergeant John Baker,” the department said. “Even with the challenges he faced from his work-related injury, his joyful and positive personality always persisted.” The department extended its condolences to Baker’s children, family and friends.
Pembroke Pines police requested that the Broward Sheriff’s Office take over the death investigation. BSO’s Homicide and Crime Scene units are handling the case. Investigators have not publicly established a motive, and the medical examiner’s final findings remain pending.
The apparent murder-suicide occurred in Pembroke Pines, a city in southwestern Broward County within the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida. The community is located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, in a densely populated region of southeastern Florida.
Google Maps: 8300 Block of Pine Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida
DEVELOPING::