Police gather for funeral of 3 Pennsylvania detectives ambushed by gunman

**Hundreds Gather for Funeral Services Honoring Slain Northern York County Detectives**

*Red Lion, Pa., September 25, 2025* — Hundreds of police officers gathered on Thursday for a closed funeral service honoring three Northern York County Regional Police detectives who were tragically shot and killed last week. Detectives Cody Michael Becker, Mark Edward Baker, and Isaiah Emenheiser lost their lives in the line of duty while responding to a call involving a stalking suspect.

The service was held at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, beginning at noon following a motorcade that escorted the detectives’ bodies from a local funeral home. Although the ceremony was closed to the public, the church provided an online stream of the service.

This marks the second time this year that Living Word Community Church has hosted services for officers killed in the line of duty.

**Details of the Incident**

Autopsy results released this week revealed that all three detectives died from multiple gunshot wounds. The attack occurred when the suspect, 24-year-old Matthew James Ruth, opened fire as officers arrived and entered the home of a woman he was accused of stalking. Two other officers were seriously wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Ruth died at the scene.

York County District Attorney Tim Barker stated that Ruth had likely planned to ambush the woman he was stalking.

**Remembering the Officers**

The three detectives were veterans of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and are remembered as dedicated public servants devoted to their families and community.

– **Sergeant Cody Michael Becker**, 39, of Spring Grove, had served on the force for 16 years. A star multisport athlete in high school, Becker was known for his bravery — notably climbing to the second story of a burning building in 2010 to rescue children escaping through a window. He is survived by his wife and two children. A separate public funeral service for Becker will be held Sunday at Spring Grove Area High School.

– **Detective Mark Edward Baker**, 53, of Dover, was a U.S. Army veteran who previously served three years with the Philadelphia Police Department before joining Northern Regional in 2004. He specialized in computer forensics and had been a detective for 15 years. Baker was an Eagle Scout and an active adult Scouting leader. He is survived by his wife and four children; a fifth child predeceased him.

– **Detective Isaiah Emenheiser**, 43, of York, graduated from York College with a degree in criminal justice and served in the U.S. Secret Service before joining Northern Regional. During his more than 20 years with the department, Emenheiser earned multiple honors, including being named officer of the year, and made over 100 DUI arrests in 2010 alone. He was also recognized for his heroism when he rescued a man from a burning mobile home in 2005. Outside of work, Emenheiser enjoyed fitness, home renovations, and coaching youth soccer. He is survived by his wife and two children.

**Community Response**

The tragic loss has deeply affected the Northern York County community and law enforcement agencies throughout the region. Many have expressed condolences and praised the detectives for their dedicated service.

Living Word Community Church’s online streaming of the funeral allowed members of the public and law enforcement officers from across the country to pay their respects.

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