Funds set up for families of slain Santa Cruz police officers

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Two funds have been set up to accept donations for the families of slain Santa Cruz police officers Elizabeth Butler and Loran ‘Butch’ Baker, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported Thursday.

According to the newspaper, Bay Federal Credit Union has set up one fund with Central Coast News KION/KCBA. Donations can be made at Bay Federal Credit Union branches or mailed to 3333 Clares St., Capitola, CA 95010. Checks should be payable to the Santa Cruz Police Officers Assn.

The officers association and police department have also set up a ‘Baker/Butler Scholarship Fund’ with Wells Fargo Bank. Deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo branch to account number 999 245 1154.

PHOTOS: Two Santa Cruz police officers killed

Santa Cruz finance chief Marcus Pimental said the city also will accept checks made out to Baker/Butler Scholarship Fund by mail at 809 Center St., Room 101, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Credit card donations will be accepted by phone at (831) 420-5070.

Baker, 51, is survived by his wife, Kelly; son Adam, a community services officer; and daughters Jillian and Ashley. Butler, 38, leaves behind her partner, Peter Wu, and their sons, Joaquin and Stellan, ages 5 and 2.

Baker and Butler were killed by Jeremy Goulet, 35, when they went to his Santa Cruz home Tuesday to question him in a sexual assault case. They are the first officers slain in the line of duty in the department’s 150-year history. Goulet was later killed in a gunfight with other officers. In an emotional tribute on the steps of the police department Wednesday, Chief Kevin Vogel said Baker, a 28-year department veteran and one-time training officer, had mentored many in the department, including Vogel himself.

Butler, a 10-year veteran, had been a patrol officer before finding “her niche” investigating sexual assaults.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of detective Butler and Sgt. Baker,’ Carrie Birkhofer, president and chief executive officer of Bay Federal, told the Sentinel. ‘We hope these donations will help them with the many financial needs they will undoubtedly face.’

ALSO:

Reserve deputy dies of apparent suicide

Bell trial: Juror dismissed; deliberations to restart

Lindsay Lohan: L.A. prosecutors want 90 days in rehab, source says

-- Lee Romney in San Francisco