On a somber Thursday in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, hundreds of law enforcement officers, family members, and friends gathered at Living Word Community Church to honor the lives and service of three Northern York County Regional Police detectives—Cody Michael Becker, Mark Edward Baker, and Isaiah Emenheiser—tragically killed in the line of duty just a week prior. The closed funeral, streamed online for those unable to attend, became a focal point for a community grappling with the pain of sudden loss and the enduring legacy of sacrifice.
The events leading up to this day were as harrowing as they were heartbreaking. According to WPVI and the Philadelphia Inquirer, the three detectives lost their lives during an ambush at the home of a woman who had reported being stalked by her former boyfriend, 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth. The woman had noticed a man lurking outside her home, armed with a rifle, and immediately contacted police. Although officers initially failed to locate Ruth, they did find a black pick-up truck—matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle—parked nearby. Fearing for their safety, the woman and her mother left the residence while police continued their search.
Ruth, who had already been charged with stalking, loitering, and prowling, was not at his own home when police checked earlier that day. When officers returned to the woman’s now-empty house, the door was unlocked. As Detectives Becker, Baker, and Emenheiser entered, Ruth opened fire, killing all three and critically wounding two other officers—a Northern York County Regional detective and a York County deputy sheriff. Ruth himself was killed in the exchange of gunfire, but not before inflicting irreparable damage on the community.
Autopsy results released earlier in the week confirmed the grim details: all three detectives died of multiple gunshot wounds. York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated his belief that Ruth had planned to ambush the woman he was accused of stalking, but instead unleashed his violence on the officers who came to protect her. As Chief David Lash later reflected during the funeral, the officers “confronted some of the most evil human behaviors imaginable. And not only did they face those challenges, they did so while holding fast to faith, compassion and uncompromising honor.”
The loss of these officers was deeply personal for many in the law enforcement community. Detective Sergeant Cody Michael Becker, 39, was remembered not only as a leader on the force but also as a devoted family man and a former star multi-sport athlete at Spring Grove Area High School. His obituary recounted a moment of heroism in 2010, when he scaled the side of a burning building to catch children escaping through a window. “Cody, I looked up to you,” said Northern Regional Cpl. Steven Lebo during the service, calling Becker his best friend. “I envied you, I wanted nothing more than to retire together when our time at Northern Regional was complete.” Becker leaves behind a wife and two children. A public funeral service for him will be held Sunday at Spring Grove Area High School, allowing the wider community to pay their respects.
Detective Mark Edward Baker, 53, brought a wealth of experience to his role. A U.S. Army veteran, Baker had spent three years with the Philadelphia Police Department before joining Northern York County Regional in 2004. He specialized in computer forensics and was known as “Bake” among his colleagues. Baker was an Eagle Scout and an adult Scouting leader, and his devotion to both his profession and his family was evident in stories shared by those who knew him best. His daughter, Rebecca Lynn Baker, described him as “courageous, fearless, kind and compassionate, a devoted father who once showed up in pajamas when she ran out of gasoline late at night coming home from a beach trip.” She added, “As important and prominent as his career was, his love for his family could not be touched.” Baker is survived by his wife and four children; a fifth child predeceased him.
Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, 43, was celebrated for his perfectionism, his dreams of opening a gym, and his deep commitment to community service. A York College criminal justice graduate and former U.S. Secret Service agent, Emenheiser was named officer of the year in 2010 after making 104 DUI arrests. In 2005, he broke a window in a burning mobile home to carry a man to safety, a testament to his courage and selflessness. “To see someone come to work every day and perform to the best of their abilities, year after year after year, is truly amazing,” said Northern Regional Sgt. Andrew Miller, recalling how Emenheiser mentored him as an intern and became a source of inspiration. Emenheiser also coached youth soccer and was passionate about fitness and home renovations. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The impact of these losses was felt far beyond the police department. As Roosevelt Poplar of the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police told FOX29, “Mark was a very honorable police officer for the years he was here… Knowing Mark and knowing now what happened, it just breaks our heart.” Poplar emphasized that Baker’s colleagues had nothing but “glowing things” to say about him, sentiments echoed by officers in York County.
Chief David Lash closed the funeral with a message that resonated deeply with all present: “They will be missed deeply but remembered often. Rest easy, brothers. We have the watch.” The department pledged to carry forward the legacy of the three men who died doing what they loved—helping others and serving their community with distinction.
This tragedy marks the second time this year that Living Word Community Church has hosted services for police officers killed in the line of duty, a sobering reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily. The outpouring of support from across the state and beyond speaks to the profound sense of loss—and gratitude—felt by those who rely on these officers for protection and peace.
As the community prepares for Sunday’s public memorial for Cody Becker, the stories of bravery, kindness, and unwavering dedication shared at Thursday’s service will linger. The legacy of Detectives Becker, Baker, and Emenheiser serves as a solemn reminder of the price of public service and the courage required to face danger head-on. Their names and their deeds will not be forgotten by those whose lives they touched, nor by a region united in mourning and remembrance.
