Sean Baer

On April 9, 2024, Special Agent Sean Baer, of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, was killed in a head-on vehicle crash in Ranson, West Virginia. An oncoming vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, ran a red light, then crossed the median and struck Agent Baer’s department vehicle head-on. Both drivers were killed in the crash. Agent Baer was 49 years old and had served with the USPS Office of Inspector General for over nine years and as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer with the Department of State for over four years.

Baer began his law enforcement career in 2004 as a judge advocate in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he specialized in military justice, as well as maritime and international law. In 2008, he left active duty to become a special agent for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) at the Department of State. From 2008 to 2012, Baer served in the New York field office in Manhattan, specializing in passport and visa fraud investigations, then served as the assistant regional security officer at the US Embassy in Libreville, Gabon. He later served as a special agent at the Department of Commerce and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Agent Baer was presented the 2023 Council of the Inspector General on Integrity and Efficiency Award for Excellence in Investigation. In 2022, he was awarded the USPS Assistant Inspector General Office of Investigation Excellence Award. Baer served in the United States Coast Guard from 2004 to 2008, achieving the rank of Lieutenant. His military awards included the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Baer was born in Camarillo, California, and was raised in Port Angeles, Washington. Growing up, he loved to travel, read and spend time with family and friends. Even as a young child, he always wanted to make a difference in the world. It was important to him to help those in need, protect the vulnerable, correct injustice, and ensure those charged with these duties and responsibilities maintained the utmost integrity. Although he initially aspired to a career in academia, he found his calling in the law. Baer attended Syracuse University Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 2002 with a juris doctorate (JD) and a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy. He also earned a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College in 2010, a master’s degree in global studies from Humboldt State University in 1999, and a bachelor’s degree in strategic studies from Evergreen State College in 1997. 

Baer met his future wife, Lineka, when they were both Lieutenants in the Coast Guard, serving as judge advocates. They married and had three children together: Alexander, Evelina and Vivienne. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, son and brother. At his core, Baer was a teacher, mentor, and consummate teammate. He will be remembered for his keen intellect, quick wit and endless desire to learn. He was always available to share his knowledge and experience with his colleagues and endeavored to forge interagency partnerships to collaborate on multifaceted investigations. Above all, he maintained a high sense of integrity and dedication to the law.

Special Agent Sean Baer is survived by his loving wife, Lineka; three children, Alexander, Evelina and Vivienne; his mother, Gretson, and father, Ronald; his sisters, Britt and Brenna, and many other cherished family members and friends.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Baer family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.