On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 60 year old Marcus Baker, a retired Lakeland Police Department officer, after he threatened a 75-year-old volunteer Sheriff’s Service Officer (SSO) in Lakeland.

SSOs wear agency issued uniforms, operate marked PCSO vehicles, and are clearly identifiable as members of the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Service Officer was at the Publix located on County Road 540A conducting parking enforcement when he observed Baker’s vehicle parked in a clearly marked fire lane with a posted “NO PARKING” sign. The vehicle was unoccupied, running, with emergency flashers operating. About 15 minutes later, Baker exited the store and began loading groceries into his car.

The SSO approached Baker and requested his driver’s license. Baker initially refused but eventually complied. Baker gave several explanations for parking in the fire lane, including not feeling well, having a sick dog, and having diabetes, and repeatedly emphasized that he was former law enforcement. Baker did not have a state issued handicap placard and there were a number of vacant parking spaces in the parking lot. 

After the SSO issued a traffic citation for parking in a fire lane, Baker became agitated, began yelling and gesturing with his hands, and threatened to harm the SSO, follow him home, and track him. Baker then followed the VSSO on foot toward the SSO vehicle, placing the SSO in fear of imminent violence. The VSSO contacted a deputy for assistance. Baker returned to his vehicle, made a U turn, and drove past the VSSO’s patrol vehicle at an extremely slow speed in an intimidating manner before U-turning again, stopping directly behind the marked PCSO vehicle. He then performed another U-turn and left the scene before deputies arrived.

A witness collecting shopping carts reported hearing yelling and described Baker as being aggressive and confrontational. Another witness stated she had seen Baker park in the fire lane on multiple prior occasions.

When contacted later by deputies, Baker admitted to being involved in a verbal confrontation but initially denied parking in the fire lane or making threats. He later acknowledged parking illegally and said he could not recall his exact statements.

“We expect our law enforcement officers and retired law enforcement officers to set a proper example through their lawful and appropriate behavior. He set the wrong example. We set the right example by holding him accountable.” –Grady Judd, Sheriff

Baker was arrested for Corruption by Threat to a Public Servant (F3) and Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (M1). He was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center without incident.

Baker previously worked as a Polk County deputy sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He then became a police officer at the Lakeland Police Department and retired in 2021. 

To hear Sheriff Judd’s full remarks on this incident, watch the video here.