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"To promote and ensure public safety through ethical and just prosecution" Thank you for visiting our website. The District Attorney represents the People of the State of California in all criminal prosecutions in Santa Cruz County. The Office is responsible for filing criminal charges, appearing in court in all felony and misdemeanor cases, and representing the People in all trials and sentencing proceedings in the Superior Court of Santa Cruz. A Letter From District Attorney Bob LeeMarch 1, 2013
It is with a heavy heart I write this letter. Sergeant Butch Baker and Detective Elizabeth Butler sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. They were doing what they did best, trying to make our community safer. Our deepest thoughts are with their family members and our fellow law enforcement family at the Santa Cruz Police Department. Words can't express how deep our sorrow is at this time.
Sgt. Loran "Butch" Baker was an iconic figure in Investigations at Santa Cruz Police Department. He was instrumental in solving numerous major cases in the City of Santa Cruz over the last 28 years. He had become a fixture at the District Attorney's Office supporting our efforts to prosecute cases. Butch Baker was the first person you called at Santa Cruz PD when you wanted something done. He will be sorely missed. Det. Elizabeth Butler has been at for almost a decade. She was recently assigned to the Sexual Assault Unit where she passionatel...y and diligently worked countless serious cases. It was during one of these sexual assault cases that she ultimately lost her life. Please keep their families in your thoughts. Because of this terrible tragedy and the toll it has taken on Santa Cruz Police Department and the community as a whole, the following will occur: (1) Every effort will be made to continue Santa Cruz Police Department cases that are scheduled in the next two weeks so that their officers will have an opportunity to heal from this terrible incident; (2) Press inquiries should be directed to DA Bob Lee; (3) Chief Deputy Jeff Rosell will handle the critical incident investigation. Our job going forward is to continue to investigate this incident and support Santa Cruz Police Department as best we can. I would like to personally express my gratitude to every member of my office who responded and worked during the early morning hours on this community-wide tragedy. District Attorney Bob Lee |
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