Date posted online: Wednesday, November 19, 1997
'How much she was loved'.
By KEN KOSKY
WASHINGTON TWP. - Years ago when Porter County residents had to dial several
hard-to-remember telephone numbers to get emergency help, Linda (Beal) Baum saw
a better way.
The Porter County Sheriff's Department dispatcher wanted local residents to
be able to reach police, firefighters and medics by dialing 9-1-1.
Baum helped see that and other improvements in the emergency response field
come to fruition, and she brightened a lot of lives before a traffic accident
claimed her life Saturday.
About 400 people filled the Porter County Expo Center on Tuesday to remember
Baum, 48, the Sheriff's Department's 911 supervisor.
"It just shows how much she was loved and respected by police, fire and EMS
people in the community," Sheriff Larry Dembinski said about the turnout.
When Chief Deputy Robert Herring announced during the ceremony that the 911
dispatching center was being renamed the Linda Baum Communications Center,
family members and co-workers wept.
"She had one of those personalities that it didn't matter who you are, you
couldn't help but like her. She's one of the most positive people I've ever
met," said Porter County Patrolman Tim Emmons, who first met Baum 16 years ago
when both were with the Chesterton Police Department.
Emmons often would share his humorous poems with Baum because of her great
sense of humor. After he heard about her death, he wrote a poem for the funeral
service called "10-42," the police code for a shift ending or someone going
home.
The poem starts, "We know there's no crime in heaven; The policemen there
get lots of rest; But they must've needed a dispatcher; For God's taken one of
the best!"
Baum's brother, Pastor Russell Beal Jr., officiated the funeral. He told
those in attendance that life, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas this year,
will be difficult without her.
"My family and I have put our faith and our trust in the Lord, and that's
what comforts our hearts," Beal said.
After the ceremony, Baum was taken to McCool Cemetery in Portage. It was her
final journey through the county she worked so hard for, and it was a chance
for all those who loved her to say farewell.
'How much she was loved'.
By KEN KOSKY
WASHINGTON TWP. - Years ago when Porter County residents had to dial several
hard-to-remember telephone numbers to get emergency help, Linda (Beal) Baum saw
a better way.
The Porter County Sheriff's Department dispatcher wanted local residents to
be able to reach police, firefighters and medics by dialing 9-1-1.
Baum helped see that and other improvements in the emergency response field
come to fruition, and she brightened a lot of lives before a traffic accident
claimed her life Saturday.
About 400 people filled the Porter County Expo Center on Tuesday to remember
Baum, 48, the Sheriff's Department's 911 supervisor.
"It just shows how much she was loved and respected by police, fire and EMS
people in the community," Sheriff Larry Dembinski said about the turnout.
When Chief Deputy Robert Herring announced during the ceremony that the 911
dispatching center was being renamed the Linda Baum Communications Center,
family members and co-workers wept.
"She had one of those personalities that it didn't matter who you are, you
couldn't help but like her. She's one of the most positive people I've ever
met," said Porter County Patrolman Tim Emmons, who first met Baum 16 years ago
when both were with the Chesterton Police Department.
Emmons often would share his humorous poems with Baum because of her great
sense of humor. After he heard about her death, he wrote a poem for the funeral
service called "10-42," the police code for a shift ending or someone going
home.
The poem starts, "We know there's no crime in heaven; The policemen there
get lots of rest; But they must've needed a dispatcher; For God's taken one of
the best!"
Baum's brother, Pastor Russell Beal Jr., officiated the funeral. He told
those in attendance that life, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas this year,
will be difficult without her.
"My family and I have put our faith and our trust in the Lord, and that's
what comforts our hearts," Beal said.
After the ceremony, Baum was taken to McCool Cemetery in Portage. It was her
final journey through the county she worked so hard for, and it was a chance
for all those who loved her to say farewell.
Date posted online: Wednesday, November 19, 1997
'How much she was loved'.
By KEN KOSKY
WASHINGTON TWP. - Years ago when Porter County residents had to dial several
hard-to-remember telephone numbers to get emergency help, Linda (Beal) Baum saw
a better way.
The Porter County Sheriff's Department dispatcher wanted local residents to
be able to reach police, firefighters and medics by dialing 9-1-1.
Baum helped see that and other improvements in the emergency response field
come to fruition, and she brightened a lot of lives before a traffic accident
claimed her life Saturday.
About 400 people filled the Porter County Expo Center on Tuesday to remember
Baum, 48, the Sheriff's Department's 911 supervisor.
"It just shows how much she was loved and respected by police, fire and EMS
people in the community," Sheriff Larry Dembinski said about the turnout.
When Chief Deputy Robert Herring announced during the ceremony that the 911
dispatching center was being renamed the Linda Baum Communications Center,
family members and co-workers wept.
"She had one of those personalities that it didn't matter who you are, you
couldn't help but like her. She's one of the most positive people I've ever
met," said Porter County Patrolman Tim Emmons, who first met Baum 16 years ago
when both were with the Chesterton Police Department.
Emmons often would share his humorous poems with Baum because of her great
sense of humor. After he heard about her death, he wrote a poem for the funeral
service called "10-42," the police code for a shift ending or someone going
home.
The poem starts, "We know there's no crime in heaven; The policemen there
get lots of rest; But they must've needed a dispatcher; For God's taken one of
the best!"
Baum's brother, Pastor Russell Beal Jr., officiated the funeral. He told
those in attendance that life, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas this year,
will be difficult without her.
"My family and I have put our faith and our trust in the Lord, and that's
what comforts our hearts," Beal said.
After the ceremony, Baum was taken to McCool Cemetery in Portage. It was her
final journey through the county she worked so hard for, and it was a chance
for all those who loved her to say farewell.
'How much she was loved'.
By KEN KOSKY
WASHINGTON TWP. - Years ago when Porter County residents had to dial several
hard-to-remember telephone numbers to get emergency help, Linda (Beal) Baum saw
a better way.
The Porter County Sheriff's Department dispatcher wanted local residents to
be able to reach police, firefighters and medics by dialing 9-1-1.
Baum helped see that and other improvements in the emergency response field
come to fruition, and she brightened a lot of lives before a traffic accident
claimed her life Saturday.
About 400 people filled the Porter County Expo Center on Tuesday to remember
Baum, 48, the Sheriff's Department's 911 supervisor.
"It just shows how much she was loved and respected by police, fire and EMS
people in the community," Sheriff Larry Dembinski said about the turnout.
When Chief Deputy Robert Herring announced during the ceremony that the 911
dispatching center was being renamed the Linda Baum Communications Center,
family members and co-workers wept.
"She had one of those personalities that it didn't matter who you are, you
couldn't help but like her. She's one of the most positive people I've ever
met," said Porter County Patrolman Tim Emmons, who first met Baum 16 years ago
when both were with the Chesterton Police Department.
Emmons often would share his humorous poems with Baum because of her great
sense of humor. After he heard about her death, he wrote a poem for the funeral
service called "10-42," the police code for a shift ending or someone going
home.
The poem starts, "We know there's no crime in heaven; The policemen there
get lots of rest; But they must've needed a dispatcher; For God's taken one of
the best!"
Baum's brother, Pastor Russell Beal Jr., officiated the funeral. He told
those in attendance that life, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas this year,
will be difficult without her.
"My family and I have put our faith and our trust in the Lord, and that's
what comforts our hearts," Beal said.
After the ceremony, Baum was taken to McCool Cemetery in Portage. It was her
final journey through the county she worked so hard for, and it was a chance
for all those who loved her to say farewell.
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