Wimberly Baker
Wimberly Baker was born January 10, 1910 in Metropolis, Illinois. In 1936 Baker began his Federal Bureau of Investigation training and was later assigned to Kansas City, Missouri. On April 16, 1937, Glen Applegate and Robert Suhay, two suspected bank robbers walked into the downtown Topeka post office to retrieve their mail. Baker, along with two other agents, had staked out the post office hoping to apprehend the two criminals. After Applegate and Suhey arrived at the post office Baker walked in to arrest them. Suhey fired on Baker, shooting him several times. Baker and another agent returned fire, but Applegate and Suhey escaped and two civilians were injured. Later that evening, Applegate and Suhey were captured in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Baker died the next day from his injuries. Applegate and Suhey were convicted of their crimes and were sentenced to death for the murder of a federal officer. Applegate and Suhey were hanged on August 12, 1938 at the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. A plaque now hangs on the bullet-scarred wall of the post office commemorating Special Agent Baker and others lost in the line of duty.
Entry: Baker, Wimberly
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: May 2012
Date Modified: July 2012
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
