By Leonard Gray / L’Observateur / June 8, 1998

LAPLACE – Sgt. Carl Baker, a detective with the St. John the BaptistParish Sheriff’s Office, was named 1998 Deputy of the Year Wednesday.

Baker, 28, is a 7 1/2-year veteran of the department and was described by Sheriff Wayne L. Jones as “a hard worker, very conscientious, and he takeshis job seriously.”Chief of Detectives Bobby Hay added: “He’s an outstanding investigator. Ifall our people were like him, we could do so much more.”The detective was a lead investigator in the Arcuri and Brock murder cases, which developed into the arrest of Daniel Blank, who is now awaiting trial.

Baker is also pursuing a criminal justice degree at Southeastern Louisiana University, where his wife, Paige, is also completing her nursing degree while working as a nursing technician at River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace.

“It’s rough,” he said, “doing that and a full-time job.”Apparently able to balance work and school, Baker maintains a 4.0 gradepoint average and recently joined the Gamma Beta Phi national scholastic honors fraternity.

As a reward for being named Deputy of the Year, Baker and his wife will get a free vacation in Destin, Fla., while Baker also attends the LouisianaSheriffs Training Conference, July 5-8.

He also received gift certificates from Don Mince, representing the St.

John Parish business community sponsors of the program, from Geanie’s Seafood, The Donut Hole, Natal’s Pro Shop and Krewe Du Monde.

Jones concluded: “He does a great job and we’re really proud to have him.”

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