SANTA MARIA, Calif.- The daughter of fallen Santa Cruz Police Detective, Loran Butch Baker, spoke exclusively with Central Coast News and describes the pain she is going through after her father was shot and killed.
Ashley Baker is the oldest daughter of Detective Baker and is studying psychology at Alan Hancock College in Santa Maria.
"I guess it's something that I've always known was a reality my entire life, but it still doesn't prepare you for when you actually hear that news," said Ashley Baker, the victim's daughter.
Growing up with a dad in law enforcement, Ashley Baker knew her dad and 28-year Santa Cruz Police veteran, Loran Butch Baker, was constantly putting his life on the line everyday.
"When I saw the call, I knew that my dad was either dying or that he was dead," said Baker.
Tuesday morning, Ashley got a call from her brother saying their dad had been shot and killed.
"I actually screamed when I found out and I hung up the phone. I didn't know what to do, I was shocked," explained Baker.
She told Central Coast News the thought of never being able to see her dad again, breaks her heart.
"I feel nothing. I go from feeling something to nothing," she said.
When asked about the last conversation she had with him she responded, "my dad told me how smart was and how proud he was of me and just the things he thought about me, he made me feel so good."
"I'm going to miss his sense of humor there will never be another Butch Baker sense of humor that's for sure," she said.
Ashley Baker says her father was getting ready to retire and her younger brother is also a community service officer in Santa Cruz and wanted to follow the footsteps of their dad.
