PARIS – Cpl. Matthew Baker of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office has received an award from the Massachusetts State Police for his role in apprehending a man who pointed a loaded shotgun at police last year in Fryeburg.
“It was a complete surprise, but a good surprise,” Baker said by phone Friday night.
Baker and four other officers were given the Superintendent’s Commendation Award for the June 2004 arrest of Taylor Michaud, 33, of New Bedford, Mass.
Michaud was wanted in connection with a shooting in Fall River, Mass., and sending threatening e-mails from his aunt’s home in Brownfield, police said. Found at that home, he led police on a 14-mile chase into Fryeburg where he leveled a loaded shotgun at Maine State Police Trooper John Haney, Baker said.
Baker set up spike mats on Route 5, provided cover for Haney after he was shot at, and arrested Michaud and took him to jail.
Michaud was convicted of firearms-related charges in April and is serving a nine-year sentence in federal prison. After release, he is expected to face charges in Massachusetts and Maine, police said.
Baker and Haney received their awards at a ceremony July 20 at Framingham, Mass.
“My kids thought it was pretty neat. My wife thought it was nice to get some recognition,” Baker said of the honor.
The framed certificate will hang in his home office along side a certificate of valor he received in 2001 from the Maine Sheriffs Association.
Baker is a shift supervisor who has been with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office since 1993.
Staff Editor Mary Delamater contributed to this report.
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