Trooper Shooting Update: No Improvement for Injured Trooper

Update: 3:59 PM

Funeral arrangements set for State Trooper Marshall Bailey:

Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 31, 2012.

The funeral will be held at Gatens-Harding Funeral Home in Poca, WV.

A funeral service will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 01, 2012 at the Charleston Civic Center.

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The West Virginia State Police trooper, shot by a suspect on Tuesday is still in critical condition at Charleston Area Medical Center while work to plan a funeral for another State Police trooper continues.

West Virginia State Police Spokesperson Sgt. Michael Baylous said Thursday morning Trooper Eric Workman from Clay County remained in a coma and on life support.

“We need people to continue with their prayers and concerns and we need prayer for strength,“ Sgt. Baylous said.

Trooper Eric Workman

Sgt. Baylous says video from the cruiser shows Luke Baber, age 22, from Fayette County was patted down during his arrest for reckless driving in a stolen pickup truck Tuesday night near the Wallback exit off Interstate 79.

Later, though, Baber was able to get to a 9 mm handgun he was carrying and shot the two troopers who had arrested him from the back of the cruiser.  Both were shot in the head and neck areas.

Sgt. Baylous says it looks like the troopers just missed the gun during the search.

“That happens,“ he said.  “How many times do we see, almost on a daily basis, where someone is going through a security checkpoint, whether it’s at a courthouse or an airport or wherever, and even with all the modern technology they have available, sometimes it just happens.“

Trooper Workman survived the shooting but is seriously injured.  Corporal Marshall Bailey, age 42, from Putnam County was killed.  Corporal Bailey had been with State Police for 17 years.

As of Thursday morning, funeral arrangements for him had not been finalized.

Sgt. Baylous says everyone is in mourning, “You go through the same life experiences, you know what’s going on with them.“

Baber was shot by deputies from Roane County and Clay County during his fleeing attempt.

John Westfall, a Roane County Sheriff’s deputy, who was shot by Baber during his escape attempt could be released from the hospital within a couple of days.

A tow truck driver from Kings Wrecker Service who also responded to the scene is now at home, recovering from his injuries.

Here is what they are not telling you:
Baber was in the back seat of the cruiser after he was arrested and handcuffed. He did not have a 9 mm. He had a key to take his handcuff off. He then attacked the troopers and took their gun and got out of cruiser. They ended up chasing him and Baber shot the trooper who got killed multiple times as well as the others. A very sad situation. Why don’t the cruisers have a protection barrier between front and back seats?

The Charleston Gazette reported that Baber was in the back seat when he shot both troopers in the back of their heads. Then ran off, still handcuffed.
It is a tragedy all the way around, however it happened.

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