Officer Robert Baker was killed when his motorcycle was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

   He was traveling northbound on Shelby Street when a 19-year-old male, who was driving southbound, made a left-hand turn onto Calhoun Street in front of him. Officer Baker, who suffered a skull fracture and broken neck, died at the scene.

   The teenage driver was apprehended two hours later about a mile from the scene. He was subsequently convicted, sentenced to one year for failure to stop after an accident, fined $100 and given a suspended sentence of one to five years for reckless homicide.

   While on probation, he was convicted of drunken driving and driving without a license. He had his suspended sentence revoked and was subsequently paroled in 1954.

   Officer Baker was survived by his wife, mother and brother.

The responsibilities of the Indianapolis Police Department (1854–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.