Who were the 3 PA detectives who died in the line of duty? Remembering their legacies

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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) -- Family and community members will gather Thursday for the funeral of three Northern York County Regional detectives who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Detective Sergeant Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were all shot and killed Sept. 17 while serving a warrant at a North Codorus Township home.

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Each of the three men are now being remembered for their years-long commitment to their communities and their families.

Detective Mark Baker, a father of five and grandfather of two, is remembered for his dedication to his family, law enforcement and the military.

He graduated from the Philadelphia Police Academy, where he was honored as the Distinguished 100 Top Shooter and earned the Top Shooter Award for his class, his obituary says.

Baker, 53, of Dover, went on to serve as a detective for the Northern York Regional Police Department for 15 years, where, according to his obituary, he was a "pioneer" in the department's forensics program.

Baker also served as Military Police in the U.S. Army, where he received several honors--including the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Overseas Service Ribbon--and was recognized as an "expert marksman" in rifle and pistol shooting.

Baker was also an international instructor for computer forensics with IACIS, which describes itself as a global leader in digital forensic training.

In addition, he was part of an FBI task force focused on human trafficking, and in that role especially, was known for showing "true compassion" to the victims he worked with.

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Baker was a man with many passions, his obituary says, including trains, dog training, hiking, camping, hunting, barbecue, and smoking meats with his friends and family.

In his free time, he was also a devoted fan of Alabama Football and the Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers -- as well as a life-long Scout.

Mark Baker will be remembered for his unwavering sense of duty, his dedication to justice, and most of all, for the deep love he held for his family," his obituary reads. "He will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Following Baker's death, CBS 21 spoke with his 11-year-old son outside the memorial at the police station.

When asked about what he loved most about his father, the boy said, "he was never mean."

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Det. Becker received numerous honors throughout his life, both as a decorated athlete and during his 16-year tenure with the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Becker found the most joy spending time with his two children and his wife, according to his obituary, and also enjoyed hunting -- specifically in the Potter County mountains he lovingly called "God's Country".

He attended Spring Grove Senior High School, where he served as captain for the football, baseball and wrestling teams -- boasting 118 career wins for the wrestling team.

After graduating high school in 2004, Becker went on to study and pursue athletics at Millersville University, where he was named a NCAA Division I East Regional Champion, along with being a two-time national qualifier in 2006 and 2007.

He graduated college in 2008 and returned home to mentor younger athletes, before then joining and dedicating his life to the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

During his service with the department, Becker was recognized for his bravery and life-saving efforts.

He was recognized alongside Officer Edward Pague by the FBI for risking his life to save a mother and her three children from the third-story of a burning building in 2010.

On June 8, 2010, he heroically responded to a house fire in North York Borough, climbing to the second story of a burning building to catch children escaping through a window," Becker's obituary reads. His actions that day saved a family of four and exemplified his deep commitment to protecting others.

In 2013, Becker received the "DUI Top Gun Award," which honors officers who go above and beyond to get drunk drivers off the roads.

Then, in 2020, the police department posted about Becker's efforts to help collect blankets for community members in need.

Becker's family asks that any contributions be made to the Spring Grove Wrestling Club, c/o Spring Grove High School, 1490 Roth Church Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362.

Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, 43, received numerous awards and honors throughout his years in law enforcement.

Prior to his time in the workforce, he graduated from the Christian School of York in 2000 before earning a criminal justice degree from York College.

The father of two then completed training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in New Mexico.

Following his training, he worked as a Secret Service agent before then finding his "long-term calling" as a police officer and detective, his obituary says.

Once in local law enforcement, he mentored new recruits as a Field Training Officer.

He was honored for his work in keeping drunk drivers off the road, earning the Top Gun distinction multiple times -- making 104 DUI arrets in 2010.

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That year, he was also honored as Officer of the Year, and in 2011, he was named the top municipal officer across the state.

Emenheiser is specifically remembered for his bravery and service on Aug. 1, 2005, when he rescued a man from a burning mobile home, carried him out, and gave him CPR until paramedics arrived. For his actions that day, he received the Lifesaving Award.

His obituary says he enjoyed working out, completing home renovations, coaching his kids in soccer, spending time with family on beach trips, and watching football.

"He also enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles play and was known for being vocal about his observations during the game," it reads.

Emenheiser was faithfully dedicated to the Providence Community Church. There, he served on several teams helping church leadership.

He held a deep faith in Jesus' sacrifice for our lives, living out his belief in the importance of serving others.