ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is mourning the loss of two officers who died while off-duty on Tuesday.
District 4 Police Officer Malik Baker died in a car accident on I-55 in Illinois while he was driving into work on Tuesday, SLMPD said.
According to ISP, the crash occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. on southbound I-55 in East St. Louis. The crash included a Ford van that was carrying a trailer and a Toyota SUV, which Baker was driving.
Baker was traveling behind the Ford before crashing into the back of the vehicle, ISP said. Officials pronounced Baker dead at the scene after the crash, while the driver of the Ford was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries. The roadway was closed for several hours after the crash as officials investigated.
Baker served with the department for four years, SLMPD confirmed to FOX 2.
James Sanders, a 2nd District Sergeant at SLMPD, also passed away on Tuesday. SLMPD said that Sanders was battling cancer, but he was a dedicated employee. Sanders served for the City of St. Louis for 31 years.
Sanders went to school at Lutheran South, where Dan Harms was the dean.
“He shows the best of what a Christian man can be, what a person can be, what a police officer can be, what it means to serve others and not expect a parade, if you will,” Harms said.
Mitch McCoy, SLMPD spokesperson, shared that SLMPD and Illinois Police honored the life of Baker at a hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois.
“Both of our officers will be sorely missed by all who knew them. We ask for your and the communities’ prayers for their family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time,” SLMPD wrote.
Sanders’ former football teammates at the school are working on ideas to memorialize him at their former school. If people want to contribute, they can visit here and select Phase Three while giving. Then check the “I would like to dedicate this gift in honor of” and list Sgt. Jim Sanders as the honoree.
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