2007 Baker and his father were inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame. Baker died on October 31, 2007 at his home in Raleigh. A funeral was held at St. Matthew AME Church in Raleigh and he was buried at the Carolina Biblical Gardens. Legacy and honors 1972 – He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. 1999 - The Football Stadium at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School is renamed the John H. Baker, Jr. Stadium on October 29th. 2007 – both Baker Jr. and his father Baker Sr. were inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame. 2008 – The Wake Country Public Safety Center was renamed after John H. Baker Jr. to honor his long service as sheriff. References External links News & Observer: Law enforcement pioneer dies at 72 1935 births 2007 deaths 20th-century American politicians 21st-century American politicians African-American people in North Carolina politics African-American players of American football African-American sheriffs American athlete-politicians American football defensive linemen Detroit Lions players Los Angeles Rams players North Carolina Central Eagles football players Sheriffs of Wake County, North Carolina Philadelphia Eagles players Pittsburgh Steelers players Players of American football from Raleigh, North Carolina