Wife of slain deputy helps create Baker scholarship fund (with photos)

BAKER -- When Janel York donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her husband’s motorcycle to the Mt. Ewell Masonic Lodge in Baker, she was giving away more than money.

“He loved that motorcycle,” York said of her husband, Warren “Skip” York, an Okaloosa County deputy.

On April 25, Skip York and Deputy Burt Lopez were both gunned down by 28-year-old domestic abuse suspect Joshua Cartwright during an arrest gone bad.

Until recently Skip York’s motorcycle sat in the family’s garage.

Janel York said she couldn’t ride the motorcycle but was reluctant to part with the Harley Davidson that brought her husband so much enjoyment.

Skip York was a member of the Blue Knights, a motorcycle club comprised of law enforcement officers that promotes family and rider safety. When he wasn’t working, Skip York liked to spend time with his wife and son, Michael, 10. He still found time, however, to ride his Harley.

Janel York didn’t like the idea of her husband’s cherished motorcycle “just sitting there getting rusty.” But she also couldn’t bring herself to sell it for profit.

She decided to donate the money in memory of her husband.

Heritage Cycles in Fort Walton Beach helped Janel York sell the Harley and the proceeds, in part, were split between the Masonic Lodge in Baker and the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, which provides mental health services for child abuse victims.

Like the Advocacy Center, the Masonic Lodge has a long history of helping children.

Masonic Lodge Worshipful Master Marvin Arnett said the money will be used to provide $500 scholarships to seniors deemed worthy at Baker High School.

“The scholarships can go towards any type of public safety training,” Arnett said. “It could be for courses in emergency medical services, firefighter training or law enforcement,” Arnett said.

Earlier this week, Janel York was invited to a dinner at the Masonic Lodge in Baker to meet the organization’s members. At the dinner, Arnett presented Janel York with a plaque of appreciation dedicated to Skip York and Lopez.

“We are really grateful,” Arnett said.

Janel York was accompanied at the dinner by Deputy David Holt, a friend and colleague of Skip York, who is also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Holt said the death of the two deputies has been tough on members of the department.

“We’ve all got jobs to do and we just have to keep going,” Holt said.