Committee backs resolution honoring Yamhill County Deputy Paul Emerson Baker and paves way for memorial highway sign

The House Committee on Rules held a public hearing and work session May 28, 2025, on House Concurrent Resolution 38, which honors Yamhill County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Emerson Baker. Representative Lucetta Elmer introduced the resolution and urged the committee's support.

Representative Elmer described Deputy Baker as a veteran, father and longtime public servant who served in the Merchant Marines, the U.S. Army during the Korean War, the Hawthorne Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office. Testimony from Erin Edlund Cutter and Sheriff Sam Elliott highlighted Baker’s life, military service, public-safety career, family ties to public service and the desire for a highway memorial sign in his memory.

Erin Edlund Cutter said she and others coordinated with the Baker family to seek permission and to request the memorial sign. Sheriff Sam Elliott asked the committee to support the resolution, noting Baker "left a legacy of service" and performed civil-service functions for the sheriff's office at the time of his service.

Committee staff said there was no fiscal or revenue impact. Vice Chair Drazen moved the resolution with a "be adopted" recommendation; the motion passed on roll call and Representative Elmer was named the floor carrier.

Testimony noted that funds to purchase the memorial sign would be allocated from the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Trust Fund, which is financed via sales of the Fallen Public Safety Officer license plate, and that allocation removes a financial burden from the Baker family and Yamhill County Sheriff's Office.