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Published in the Tiffin Advertiser Tribune - February 9, 2010
CAREY - Family, friends and law enforcement colleagues gathered in Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation on Monday to mourn the death of a State Highway Patrol trooper killed in the line of duty.
About 500 officers attended the funeral for Andrew C. Baldridge, 25, of Carey. He died Thursday evening in a single-vehicle crash west of Carey in Wyandot County.
Judy Jenot, a Carey resident and member of the parish, followed Baldridge throughout his career. She said he never bragged and always said "yes, ma'am," or "no, ma'am."
"That kid was born to be a patrolman," she said.
Streets around the shrine were crowded with law enforcement vehicles from departments nearby and others from farther away. Representatives from state police departments in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Pennsylvania traveled to Carey.
At the conclusion of the funeral about 12:15 p.m., State Highway Patrol personnel formed 12 rows, six on each side, starting at the top of the national shrine's staircase and stretching on to the sidewalk below. Other law enforcement officers stood on the street in front of the church.
A church bell tolled. The officers stood silently. They saluted as pall bearers carried Baldridge's flag-draped casket to a hearse parked in front of the shrine.
The bells chimed faster as people, some wearing Carey High School letterman jackets or blue ribbons, came from the church and officers went to their cars for the procession.
The procession traveled on Clay Street to Vance Street on its way to St. Mary's Cemetery. Cruisers traveled with their lights flashing. Officers monitoring traffic along the route saluted as the procession passed.
Flags in the village flew at half-staff Monday morning. Friday, Gov. Ted Strickland ordered flags on public buildings and grounds be flown at half-staff through sunset Monday.
According to the program for Baldridge's funeral, Strickland and Col. David W. Dicken, the State Highway Patrol's superintendent, were to deliver tributes.
In a statement on his Web site, Strickland said he had the opportunity to hear Baldridge speak at his cadet graduation, and he was impressed by Baldridge's sincerity and thoughtfulness.
"On behalf of the people of Ohio I would like to offer my sincerest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the Baldridge family, and all those whose lives were touched by Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge of the Ohio State Highway Patrol," he said.
"Every day, throughout the State of Ohio, our dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow citizens safe. We remember the courageous men and women who have lost their lives protecting us, and we honor all those who wear the badge and keep the peace."
In a release Thursday, Dicken said the crash is a tragedy for the patrol, the Department of Public Safety, Baldridge's family and all who knew and worked with him.
"Our prayers go out to him and his family tonight, as well as to Trooper McLaughlin and his family," he said.
Thursday's crash occurred when Baldridge and a passenger, Trooper Mark McLaughlin, 33, were responding to a mutual aid call from a Wyandot County Sheriff's Office deputy. They were traveling in a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor southbound on TR 95, and the car went off the right side of the road and rolled, according to a State Highway Patrol release.
A helicopter transported McLaughlin, Baldridge's training officer, to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. He was released the next day, a State Highway Patrol spokeswoman said.
Baldridge had worked for the State Highway Patrol since May 13, 2009, and graduated Dec. 16, 2009, in the 149th patrol academy class.
He graduated in 2006 from the University of Findlay with a degree in criminal justice and business administration and served with the Wyandot County Sheriff's Auxiliary.
Baldridge graduated in 2003 from Carey High School. He wore No. 77 and was a starting offensive lineman on the football team. He wore No. 14 on the basketball team and was a thrower for the track team.
Baldridge's father is a coach, and his mother is an elementary school aide for the Carey Exempted Village School District.
Peter Cole, principal at Carey High School, said Baldridge volunteered to help the track team and record statistics for the football team.
Cole, who attended Baldridge's funeral, described Baldridge as a hero and said he was friendly to everyone and always willing to help. Baldridge was a role model, he said.
Nancy Kessler, whose husband assisted Baldridge's father coach, described Baldridge as quiet but friendly. He was respectful and had an ornery sense of humor, she said.
"He was determined, focused," Jenot said.
Published in the Mansfield News Journal - February 9, 2010
BUCYRUS -- Gov. Ted Strickland was among those to pay his last respects at a funeral for Ohio Highway Patrol trooper Andrew Baldridge on Monday morning.
Baldridge, who worked at the Bucyrus post, was killed Thursday night in a one- vehicle crash on his way to assist a Wyandot County sheriff's deputy with a mutual aid call. The crash occurred around 6 p.m. on Township Road 95, south of Ohio 103 and west of the village of Carey.
His funeral took place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey.
"Frances and I ask all Ohioans to join us in keeping ... Andrew Baldridge and his family in their thoughts and prayers," Strickland said.
Baldridge, 25, joined the Bucyrus post on Dec. 21, five days after his academy graduation. The Carey native, a star athlete who graduated from Carey High School in 2002, was a class speaker for the ceremony.
"I had the opportunity to hear Trooper Baldridge speak at the recent cadet graduation, which was a tremendous honor bestowed upon him by his classmates," Strickland said. "I was deeply impressed by his sincerity and thoughtfulness.
"This is a terrible tragedy and we offer our sincerest condolences to all those whose lives were touched by this young man."
Baldridge was driving the Ford Crown Victoria cruiser with his training officer, Trooper Mark McLaughlin, 33, in the passenger seat.
McLaughlin was flown to Toledo St. Vincent Hospital and released Friday.
"Every day, throughout the State of Ohio, our dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow citizens safe," Strickland said. "We remember the courageous men and women who have lost their lives protecting us, and we honor all those who wear the badge and keep the peace."
Published in the Progressor Times - February 9, 2010
The Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey overflowed Monday while other mourners watched funeral services for Ohio Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge on monitors in the lower church. An estimated 1,200-1,500 were in attendance, including Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and troopers and law enforcement officials from around the state.
"I had the opportunity to hear Trooper Baldridge speak at the recent cadet graduation, which was a tremendous honor bestowed upon him by his classmates," the governor said last week when he ordered flags flown at half staff until sunset Monday in the trooper's honor. "I was deeply impressed by his sincerity and thoughtfulness. This is a terrible tragedy and we offer our sincerest condolences to all those whose lives were touched by this young man.
"Every day, throughout the State of Ohio, our dedicated law enforcement officers put themselves at risk to keep their fellow citizens safe," the governor said. "We remember the courageous men and women who have lost their lives protecting us, and we honor all those who wear the badge and keep the peace."
Mourners stood in line for more than an hour Sunday to pay their last respects during visitation at Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home in Carey, and the procession from the basilica to St. Mary's Cemetery took more than a half hour to pass through town Monday.
Baldridge was killed in a crash Feb. 4 when he and Trooper Mark H. McLaughlin, both of the Bucyrus post of the Highway Patrol, were responding to a mutual aid request from the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office.
The accident occurred west of Carey on TR 95, just south of Ohio 103, at approximately 6:05 p.m. Baldridge was southbound on TR 95 when the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor he was driving went off the right side of the road and rolled. Trooper McLaughlin, Baldridge's field training officer, was injured in the crash and was transported via helicopter to Toledo St. Vincent Hospital. He was originally listed in fair condition and has since been released from the hospital.
"This is a tragedy for the Patrol and the Department of Public Safety, our young trooper's family and all who knew and worked with this promising young man," said Colonel David W. Dicken, Ohio State Highway Patrol superintendent. "Our prayers go out to him and his family … as well as to Trooper McLaughlin and his family."
Baldridge, 25, graduated as a member of the 149th Academy Class in December 2009.
He was a 2003 Carey High School graduate and a graduate of the University of Findlay in 2006.
Trooper McLaughlin, 33, is a member of the 137th Academy Class.
Both men were wearing seatbelts, the patrol reported.
Published on 13abc.com - February 8, 2010
Hundreds of people from all over the country came out to honor a state trooper killed in the line of duty.
Trooper Andrew Baldridge died in a car accident in Wyandot County last Thursday night. Friends and family were joined at the funeral by hundreds of state troopers and other officers along with the governor. They came to say good bye to a young man who was just starting to live his dream.
Wyandot County Sherriff Michael Hetzel says Andy Baldridge always wanted to be a state trooper. He realized that dream after graduating from the State Highway Patrol Academy in December.
More than five hundred officers from all over Ohio and states including Texas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Indiana came to Carey today to honor trooper Baldridge.
Baldrige and his field training officer trooper Mark McLaughlin were responding to a call for back up from the Wyandot County Sherriff's Department last Thursday night. Baldridge was driving on Township Rd. 95 when the car went off the right side of the road and then rolled.
Baldridge graduated from Carey High School in 2003. He played football, basketball, and track. Years after graduation, he continued to help with the athletic programs. Those who knew him say in his short life he had a big impact on the town he loved.
The field training officer who was in the car with trooper Baldridge at the time of the accident suffered minor injuries. He was able to attend the funeral today. The investigation into the accident continues
Published on Cleveland News-Fox 8 - February 8, 2010
CAREY, Ohio (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland is expected at the funeral for an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper killed in a crash while on duty last week.
The service for Trooper Andrew Baldridge is scheduled for late Monday morning at the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in the northwest Ohio village of Carey.
Baldridge was behind the wheel of a patrol cruiser that went off a road and rolled several times Thursday evening as he and another trooper were responding to a call. The other officer was hospitalized.
Baldridge was 25 and graduated from the highway patrol academy in December. Strickland says he heard Baldridge speak at the graduation and was impressed by his sincerity and thoughtfulness.
The governor ordered flags flown at half-staff until sunset Monday.
Published in the Toledo On The Move - February 08, 2010
CAREY, OHIO -- An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper will be remembered Monday after he was killed in a roll-over accident in northwest Ohio.
Andrew Baldridge, 25, died Thursday night when he lost control of his cruiser, rolling it several times near Carey.
The Highway Patrol said Baldridge and his passenger, Trooper Mark McLaughlin, were on their way to a call.
McLaughlin was injured in the crash.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Funeral services for Baldridge start at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Consolation at 315 Clay Street in Carey.
Contributions can be made to Carey Athletic Boosters or OLC school fund, care of Stombaugh Batton Funeral Home, 225 West Findlay Street, Carey, Ohio 43316.
Published on WMFD - February 5, 2010
CAREY – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge, of the Bucyrus Post, after he passed away this evening following a one-vehicle crash in Wyandot County.
The crash occurred on Township Road 95, just south of state Route 103, just west of the village of Carey, at approximately 6:05 p.m. Trooper Baldridge and a passenger, Trooper Mark McLaughlin, also of the Bucyrus Post, were heading southbound on TR 95 when their Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor drove off the right side of the road and rolled. Both troopers appear to have been wearing seat belts. Trooper McLaughlin was injured in the crash and transported via helicopter to Toledo St.Vincent Hospital, where he is listed in fair condition late tonight.
“This is a tragedy for the Patrol and the Department of Public Safety, our young trooper’s family and all who knew and worked with this promising young man. Our prayers go out to him and his family tonight, as well as to Trooper McLaughlin and his family,” said Colonel David W. Dicken, Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent.
Trooper Baldridge and Trooper McLaughlin were responding to a mutual aid call from a Wyandot County Sheriff’s deputy.
Trooper Baldridge, 25, graduated as a member of the 149th Academy Class in December 2009. Trooper McLaughlin, 33, is a member of the 137th Academy Class.
Published on WTOL - February 5, 2010
CAREY, OH (WTOL) - Friends and family of Ohio State Highway patrolman Andy Baldridge are mourning his death from a single-vehicle rollover crash in a police cruiser Thursday near his hometown of Carey.
Those who knew the 25-year-old Baldridge say his first love was being a highway patrolman, a job he started only two months ago.
"I would think anything he's doing, he's doing 100 percent, and I feel better that he's doing the job," said Carey School Superintendent Mark Vehre.
As a track, basketball and football star, they say Number 77 was a role model. Baldridge was an athlete, an honor student and then a volunteer coach in the Carey schools. "I think he's been on the Carey football sidelines since he was four or five years old," said Carey H.S. Athletic Director Kent Asher.
Now younger athletes and students are stunned by the crash that left Baldridge dead and trooper Mark McLaughlin with minor injuries. Asher says the students are asking why and saying it's just not fair. He says what's giving them all comfort is knowing Baldridge died doing what he loved.
Published in the Columbus Dispatch - February 5, 2010
Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge recently graduated from the state patrol's academy.
A State Highway Patrol trooper was killed and another trooper seriously injured when their cruiser crashed yesterday evening in Wyandot County.
Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge, 25, of Carey, Ohio, died from injuries suffered in the crash, said Lindsay Komlanc, spokeswoman for the patrol.
Baldridge had just graduated in December from the patrol's training academy and was assigned to the Bucyrus post.
Trooper Mark McLaughlin, 33, who was Baldridge's training officer, was in fair condition at Toledo St. Vincent Hospital last night, Komlanc said. Both troopers were taken by helicopter to the Toledo hospital.
The troopers were responding to a call for help from the Wyandot County sheriff's office when their cruiser ran off the road and rolled over, Komlanc said.
Baldridge was driving southbound on Rt. 95 south of Rt. 103 when the crash occurred about 6 p.m. Both troopers were wearing seat belts, Komlanc said.
"This is a tragedy for the patrol, the young trooper and his family, and all who knew and worked with him. Our prayers go out to him tonight," said Col. David W. Dicken, superintendent of the patrol.
Published in the Jackson Times Journal - February 5, 2010
COLUMBUS-Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement and a proclamation lowering flags to half-staff in honor of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge.
“Frances and I ask all Ohioans to join us in keeping Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Baldridge and his family in their thoughts and prayers. I had the opportunity to hear Trooper Baldridge speak at the recent cadet graduation, which was a tremendous honor bestowed upon him by his classmates. I was deeply impressed by his sincerity and thoughtfulness. This is a terrible tragedy and we offer our sincerest condolences to all those whose lives were touched by this young man.”
Published on WDTN - February 5, 2010
RIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responding to a mutual assist call in Wyandot County Thursday evening crashed, killing one trooper and injuring the other.
The accident took place on Township Highway 95 near Township Highway 27 / Brown Road southwest of the Village of Carey at around 6:15 p.m.
The state troopers were without flashing lights and sirens at the time of the accident, said Lt. Stephanie Norman, OHP Bucyrus Post Commander .
Killed in the crash was 25-year-old Andrew Baldridge, who had graduated in December 2009 from the state academy. He died at the scene of the crash, Lt. Norman said. Trooper Baldridge is a 2003 Carey High School graduate.
An air ambulance was dispatched and transferred 33-year-old Trooper Mark McLaughlin, a six-year veteran of the patrol, to Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.
Trooper McLaughlin is a field training officer. He was discharged from Mercy St. V Friday after spending the night in fair condition.
The cruiser was traveling southbound on Township Highway 95 and had just past State Route 103. It hit an embankment and went off the right side of the road, Lt. Norman said.
Trooper Baldridge, who was operating the cruiser, the post commander said.
"As they were going down the roadway there was a small knoll," she said. "The small knoll slightly pushed the car upwards and Trooper Baldridge lost control."
Trooper Baldridge tried to adjust and bring the cruiser back onto the road, but the cruiser instead rolled over several times, trapping the two inside.
Rescue crews cut them out, but Trooper Baldridge was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wyandot County Sheriff Mike Hetzel said Trooper Baldridge was the kind of kid you'd want your daughter to bring home.
"This is all he's ever wanted to do," Sheriff Hetzel said of Trooper Baldridge. "Four days ago I had dinner with him in Columbus with my sons and him. He knew my officers and dispatchers, Carey PD, Upper Sandusky PD. They've all vacationed together. They've spent a lot of time but it's .. it's like your own son, and I have sons in law enforcement."
"It's not going to be a good time for everybody," he added.
Gov. Ted Strickland ordered all state flags on Friday to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Trooper Baldridge.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Published in the San Francisco Examiner - February 5, 2010
CAREY, OHIO — A state highway patrol cruiser responding to a call rolled over on the side of a roadway Thursday evening, killing one trooper and injuring another.
The crash occurred just outside Carey, a village of about 4,000 residents in the northwest part of the state.
Trooper Andrew C. Baldridge, who was driving, and Trooper Mark McLaughlin, a passenger, were responding to an aid call from a Wyandot County sheriff's deputy when their car went off the right side of the roadway and rolled several times, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. Both troopers appear to have been wearing seat belts, it said.
Baldridge, who was 25 years old and had graduated from the highway patrol academy in December, died in the crash.
McLaughlin, 33 and a highway patrol veteran, was injured and was hospitalized in fair condition.
The highway patrol said it was mourning the loss of Baldridge and praying for McLaughlin's recovery from his injuries.
"This is a tragedy for the patrol and the Department of Public Safety, our young trooper's family and all who knew and worked with this promising young man," the patrol's superintendent, Col. David W. Dicken, said in a statement. "Our prayers go out to him and his family tonight, as well as to Trooper McLaughlin and his family."
The cause of the crash was being investigated.
The highway patrol didn't release information about the deputy's mutual aid call.
In Memory of Trooper Andrew Baldridge
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