Obituaries

Obituary: Chief Richard (Biff) Baer, Northern Regional Police Department's First Chief

Baer organized what would become the Northern Regional Police Department, the first combined police department in the state.

Chief Richard (Biff) Baer died May 22 at the age of 83.

Baer organized the Pine Township Police Department which became Tri-Area 
Police Department, the first combined police department in the State of Pennsylvania, and retired as Chief of Police of the now Northern Regional Police Department. 

Baer was president of North Hills Police Association, The Allegheny County Chiefs of Police Association, The Western Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, The State of Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, and The FBI National Academy Associates. 

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He was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 91, and held offices in the VFW and the American Legion.

He also served as the Pennsylvania boxing commissioner under the Thornburgh Administration. 

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Among his many legislative achievements, Baer was instrumental in passing the Police Mandatory Training Bill, and the building of the Police Academy in North Park, which he considered “…one of our biggest battles won,” according to an obituary provided by the Simons Funeral home.

Baer is survived by wife of 60 years, June, children: Susan Cherbonneau 
(Jerry), Pamela (Wayne) Calder, Richard (Cindi) Baer, Cristine (John) 
Courter and Carole (Regis) Helch, Brother Bill, 9 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, French Creek Slick and many friends.  

Friends will be received at Simons Funeral Home, 7720 Perry Highway on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 1 - 8 p.m.

The funeral will commence at 8:30 a.m., Saturday Morning at Simons 
Funeral Home, followed by a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial in St. Alphonsus Church, 201 Church Rd. in Wexford. The internment will be private. 

If desired, In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Richard R. Baer Scholarship fund of the FBI National Academy Associates. Address to: FBINAAWPA, Bert Lott, Secretary/Treasurer, Northern Regional Police Department 230 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, PA 15090.

Is there a memory of the chief you'd like to share? Please leave your condolences for Baer's family in the comment section below.

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