In Memory - City of St. Petersburg

In Memory
Sergeant
Thomas Baitinger
S23
K-9 / TAC Officer
Jeffrey Yaslowitz
K2
End of Watch January 24, 2011

Memorial
Prelude ...................................................... Alice Tietjen, Organist
Welcome ........................... Dr. Walter Draughon, III, Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Invocation ...................................................... Pastor Phillip Lilly
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Reflections of Sergeant Thomas J. Baitinger
Remembering Sergeant Thomas J. Baitinger
Detective Mark Marland
St. Petersburg Police Department
Deputy Sheriff Brian Youngblood
Martin County Sheriff ’s Office
Reverend Christopher Schmidt
Parrish United Methodist Church
Reflections of Officer Jeffrey A. Yaslowitz
Remembering Officer Jeffrey A. Yaslowitz
Lieutenant David Gatlin
St. Petersburg Police Department
Casey Harvey
Nephew of Jeffrey Yaslowitz
Dr. William Rice, Senior Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater

Memorial
“Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone” ...... Pastor Alberto Bent
First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg
Tribute ............................................................. Bill Foster, Mayor
City of St. Petersburg
Charles “Chuck” Harmon, Chief of Police
St. Petersburg Police Department
“There Will Be A Day” ................................. Pastor Alberto Bent
Words of Encouragement .................. Dr. Walter Draughon, III
Departure of Sergeant Baitinger
and Officer Yaslowitz ...................................................... Escort
The men and women of the St. Petersburg Police Department and the
families of the fallen officers would like to thank everyone who has
reached out to us during this sorrowful time. The loss of our two officers
is tragic and overwhelming to all of us. This devastating event will forever
change the lives of the families, friends and colleagues of our two fallen
comrades. It is in times such as these that we reflect upon the importance
of community, family and friends, and we are grateful for the incredible
outpouring of support the people of St. Petersburg, the state, and the
nation have shown us.
We sincerely appreciate the countless cards, emails, flowers, acts of
kindness, well wishes and prayers that have been sent our way. Sergeant
Thomas Baitinger, and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz, our two heroes, will be
forever missed . . . and remembered.

Sergeant Thomas Baitinger
August 28, 1962 – January 24, 2011
On the morning of January
24th, Tom heard the radio call
for backup . . . officers were
down. Without hesitation, Tom
responded to the call, and
knowing the risk, entered the
house to attempt to save fallen
fellow officers . . . as he had
always done, honorably serving
the St. Petersburg Police
Department with distinction,
bravery and heroism, ensuring
the citizens of St. Petersburg
could live safely and peaceably,
enjoying a good quality of life.
He always put the needs of
others ahead of his own. Tom gave his life that morning
trying to save the lives of others. Tom loved serving. He
loved being a police officer.
Born to Kenneth and Lulumarie Baitinger on August
28, 1962, in Madison, Wisconsin, Tom graduated from
Middleton High School in 1981, where he sang in the
school’s choir and played trumpet in the band. Tom
furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin,
graduating in 1986 with a BS degree in Behavioral
Science and Law, a field of study which would serve
him well in preparation for his future profession. Tom
began his law enforcement career in 1986, serving as a
part-time dispatcher with
the Monona (WI) and
Mount Horeb (WI) Police
Departments. Tom began
his service as a Police
Officer serving part-time
with the Cottage Grove
(WI) and Fitchburg (WI)
Police Departments. In
1988, Tom became a
Deputy Sheriff with the

Dane County (WI) Sheriff’s Department, serving for seven
years with that agency.
After enduring 33 Wisconsin winters, Tom decided to move
to Florida, joining the St. Petersburg Police Department
as a Police Officer in June 1996. Tom served in various
capacities as an Officer and Detective, and was promoted to
the rank of Sergeant in 2004, principally serving in the Field
Training Unit, training new officers. Always seeking to better
himself, Tom continued his education, earning an MBA degree
from St. Leo University in 2008.
On July 27, 2002, Tom’s life took a decided turn for the better when
he married Paige (Gayzagian) in a ceremony in Dell Prairie, WI.
Tom and Paige have enjoyed living in the Palmetto area since that
time.
Tom enjoyed many interests and activities throughout his life.
He enjoyed golf and playing cards with friends. He was a
high liability instructor at the Police Academy and a mentor
to youth at Gibbs High School. Being a Wisconsinite, one
of Tom’s greatest passions was his love for the Green Bay
Packers. He wore yellow and green wrist bands in support of
his favorite football team and looked forward to seeing them
play in the Super Bowl once again.
A man of many talents, as a Police Sergeant, Tom was a
leader . . . but ultimately, he was a servant. Throughout his
life, he sought ways in which he could help others . . . which
is exactly what he was doing in his final moments in this life
. . . courageously giving all he had to give.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Paige; his parents,
Kenneth and Lulumarie; two sisters, Jayne Baitinger-
Peterson and Amy Baitinger; brother Kenneth Mark Baitinger;
sister-in-law Dawn;
three brothers-inlaw,
Tony, Lorne and
Bruce; six nephews,
Jack, Kiel, Robert,
Richard, Matthew
and Christopher; and
five nieces, Caroline,
Catherine, Elise,
Marjorie and Madeline.

K-9/TAC Officer Jeffrey Adam Yaslowitz
July 14, 1971 – January 24, 2011
On the morning of January 24th,
Jeff heard the radio call for backup.
Without hesitation, Jeff radioed that
he would respond to the call for help
. . . voluntarily assigning himself to
support other officers in need . . .
as he had always done. Jeff gave
his life that morning while fulfilling
his life’s calling . . . honorably
serving the St. Petersburg Police
Department with distinction, bravery
and heroism, ensuring the citizens of
St. Petersburg could live safely and
peaceably, enjoying a good quality of
life. Jeff loved being a police officer.
Born to Harvey and Janice Yaslowitz on July 14, 1971, in
Mount Kisco, NY. Jeff moved to Pinellas County in 1985,
where he attended Countryside High School then transferred
to and graduated from Northside Christian School, where
he played wide receiver and defensive back for the football
team his senior year in 1989, even though he was only 5
feet 5 inches tall and weighed 132 pounds. Choosing to
further his education, Jeff briefly attended Florida Southern
College then transferred to and graduated from Palm Beach
Atlantic University in 1993, with a BS in Psychology, a field
of study which would serve him well in preparation for his
future profession. While in college, Jeff met and courted
Lorraine Gallione. They were married in Lanoka Harbor, NJ,
on August 7, 1993. Jeff had strong faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, in whose presence he now abides. Jeff openly shared
and celebrated his faith with his family and friends. Jeff and
Lorraine are blessed with three beautiful children: sons Caleb
(12) and Calen (5) and daughter Haylie (8).
Jeff joined the St. Petersburg Police Department in April
1999. Holding several positions within Patrol, Jeff became

a K-9 officer in December 2008. Jeff and his K-9
partner, Ace, were an outstanding team, both on duty
and off. Well regarded and respected by his peers,
Jeff and Ace were an integral part of the K-9 squad
and the Department. Very athletic, Jeff played on
the Department’s flag football team for the past 10
years. He enjoyed maintaining his physical fitness and,
especially, the camaraderie with his fellow officers.
As a husband, father, son, brother, friend, colleague . . .
and police officer, Jeff’s life was filled with purpose and
meaning, passion and faith. Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz
lived life to its fullest measure . . . and lived it well.
He is survived by his loving
wife, Lorraine; his three
children, Caleb, Calen and
Haylie; his parents, Harvey
and Janice; his sisters,
Michelle and Stephanie; his
nephews Casey, Jonathan,
Jacob and Joshua; his
niece Emily, and his faithful
K-9 partner, Ace.

The men and women of the
St. Petersburg Police Department and the families
of the fallen officers thank you for your support.