NORTH CODORUS TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPVI) — Autopsies are expected to be done Friday on three York County police officers shot and killed in an ambush Wednesday in North Codorus Township, Pennsylvania.
Police say 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth opened fire with an AR-style rifle Wednesday, killing Detective Mark Baker, Detective Sgt. Cody Becker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, as they got to the front door of his ex-girlfriend’s home, where he was hiding.
From left, Det. Mark Baker, Det. Sgt. Cody Becker and Det. Isaiah Emenheiser, all of the Northern York County Regional Police Department.
(Northern York County Regional Police Department/York County District Attorney’s Office via AP)
The officers were there, searching for Ruth, to arrest him on suspicion of stalking.
RELATED: Prosecutor says stalking suspect ambushed Pennsylvania police officers, killing 3
Two other officers were critically wounded in the shootout with the gunman and remain hospitalized in critical condition.
The suspect was killed by police.
There is profound grief across the law enforcement community and beyond after Becker, Baker and Emenheiser, all from Northern York County Regional Police Department, died in the line of duty.
“Each of these men represented the best of policing,” said Chief Dave Lash.
The officer killings in Central Pennsylvania have stunned the nation.
The community gathered for a vigil for the officers on Thursday night.
People packed a church in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, to pay their respects, pray for the wounded and honor the lives lost.
Outside the Northern York County Regional Police Department, a memorial continues to grow.
Supporters have left dozens of bouquets of flowers and flags.
Emenheiser enjoyed fitness and had two children.
Baker worked with Philadelphia Police Department in the early 2000s.
One of the three officers killed in a deadly ambush in York, Pennsylvania, was a former member of the Philadelphia Police Department.
Detective Becker’s high school posted a tribute to the fallen officer. His former wrestling coach told 6abc that he was a team leader and great athlete. Detective Baker, who visited a York County school in 2021, also served in the Philadelphia Police Department from 2001 to 2004. He started his career in the 25th District and later moved to on the highway patrol unit.
“Mark was a very honorable police officer when he served here,” said Roosevelt Poplar, with Philadelphia FOP. “Knowing Mark and knowing now what happened, it just breaks our heart. It hit home again.”
We also learned that during his time in Philadelphia, Baker served with Officer Pat McDonald, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2008. Former Philadelphia police lieutenant Maureen Rush is now the president of the Philadelphia Police Foundation.
“We need the community to understand the sacrifice these officers do, day in and day out, across the country,” Rush said.
So far, there has been no word on funeral arrangements or when they will be held.
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