Deputy Sheriff Terry Baker was shot and killed after responding to a robbery-in-progress call at the Bargain Barrel Clothing Store. He was off duty and not in uniform while working a security job when he answered the call while eating at a nearby restaurant.

   When he walked into the store, a buzzer announced his entry and he approached the rear of the store where two employees and five customers were being held. One of two male suspects confronted Deputy Baker and shot him twice before standing over him to shoot him in the chest.

   When Deputy Sheriff Gerald Morris, who was also off duty but working a security job in uniform, arrived at the front door of the store in a marked security car, he was confronted by the suspects upon entering. Deputy Morris wounded a 31-year-old suspect before retreating to his car to request backup. They again exchanged gunfire outside when the shooter used the service revolver he had taken after killing Deputy Baker. Both later died at St. Vincent Hospital from their wounds.

   The 39-year-old suspect fled the scene but was apprehended in Tupelo, Mississippi, the following day. He was later convicted of murder and sentenced to two concurrent 60-year terms for killing both officers as well as seven concurrent 30-year terms for robbery. He died in 1999 while incarcerated. Both suspects had been federal prison cellmates in Terre Haute and the shooter was on parole for involuntary manslaughter and free on bond for a controlled substance charge at the time of the incident.

   Deputy Sheriff Baker, from Indianapolis, had previously served with the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old son.

The responsibilities of the Marion County Sheriff's Department – Law Enforcement Division (1822–2006) are now under the jurisdiction of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.