Steven Wiggins
Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson and all the officers and staff of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office have joined with law enforcement personnel from around the state and country in mourning the death of Sgt. Daniel Scott Baker of the Dickson County Sheriff's Department.
Sgt. Baker, 32, was a 10-year veteran of the department with a record of heroism and had also served his country as a member of the U.S. Marines. He is survived by his wife and daughter. HIs father and stepbrother, both law enforcement officers, also survive him.
This is the second loss in seven years for the members of the Dickson County Sheriff's Department.
Sgt. Baker had responded to a call concerning a suspicious vehicle, but after a period of time failed to check in with dispatchers.
His vehicle was tracked by GPS, and was found in a wooded area two miles from the initial call. Sgt. Baker was found deceased in the vehicle.
"Those who serve in law enforcement are a family," Sheriff Watson said. "It is a professional family who, on an hourly basis, never know if they will return from their duties to be embraced by their real family at home." "However, while our heartbreak cannot match that of Sgt, Baker's wife, child and immediate family, our hearts are broken for one of our own who took the pledge and wore the badge with duty to his neighbors and honor to his service.
"We at the Bradley County Sheriff's Office have been blessed with not having to endure such a grief, and for that we express a profound thanks and gratitude to the higher power which protects us all," the sheriff noted.
"To Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe: The Bradley County Sheriff's Office - from the front desk to the patrol officers on the streets - sends our hearts, our love, our prayers, and our support. We stand with you in any way we can be of assistance to your department or to Sgt. Baker's family. We also know those same thoughts are in the minds of all the good people of Bradley County.
"And, we will be vigilant to ensure should the suspect in this evil act attempt to come through Bradley County, he will go no further."
Sheriff Watson also said representatives of the BCSO will travel to Dickson County and join the hundreds of other members of the law enforcement family which are expected to pay tribute to the fallen officer when services for Sgt. Baker are held.
The suspect has been identified as Steven Wiggins, 31, a felon who has a decade long history of violent behavior. His female acquaintance, Erika Castro-Miles, 38, is now being held on a charge of first degree murder after information was received suggesting she was involved in the incident.
Anyone with knowledge of Steven Wiggins' whereabouts, or may have seen someone who fits Wiggins' description, are urged by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to call 911. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. He is a white male, 6' 1" tall and 220 pounds with balding brown hair.