Family, locals honor Pennsylvania policemen killed in line of duty

Families and friends gathered at Living Word Community Church in southeastern Pennsylvania on Thursday to honor the memory of three York County detectives killed during an ambush last week. Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker, and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were killed last Wednesday by a man who opened fire while they were serving a warrant for his arrest.

Aaron Anderson, lead pastor of Living Word, opened the service at noon local time by recalling a portion of Chapter 11 of the Gospel of John in which Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus. Northern York County Regional Police Chief David Lash told attendees that although all three men came from different faith traditions, each embraced the common love of God and God’s children. The officers clung to faith and honor no matter where they were, he said.

• Chief Lash described 39-year-old Becker as a devoted family man known for his constant smile, quiet confidence, patience, and servant-like heart. Cpl. Steve Lebo recalled Becker’s passion for wrestling, which sometimes resulted in Lebo ending up in an arm bar or laid out on the break room floor.

• Lash described 53-year-old Baker as a gentle giant who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren. Baker brought kindness and humor to all around him while leading the police department’s computer forensics program, he said. Lebo recalled Baker as a big teddy bear and a perpetual prankster: He said Baker once froze Lebo’s patrol hat, and another time he forwarded after-hour station calls to the corporal’s personal cellphone.

• Lash described 43-year-old Emenheiser as a Christian who lived out his faith by serving others, and the only officer ever to earn all four of the department’s highest honor awards. He’ll be remembered as a man of discipline, courage, and compassion, Lash said. Cpl. Andrew Miller recalled being taken under Emenheiser’s wing as a new recruit, and described the compassion the late detective had even for those under arrest.

Thursday’s service included a performance of “Hallelujah (Police Tribute)” by former Navy Corpsman and Marine Corps Veteran Dave Bray. The song’s tune mirrors Leonard Cohen’s original song with the lyrics rewritten to honor the men and women in law enforcement.

Providence Community Church Lead Pastor Nathan Herndon also spoke on John 11 near the end of the service, noting that the Emenheiser’s family had asked him to talk about Jesus. The memorial ended with a reading of Psalm 23 and a benediction. 

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on the shooting from last week.