East Central down to one lane Fri. AM for late police chief’s procession

A great outpouring of law enforcement, others expected for Chief Ben Baird’s Thu. and Fri. events

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- You have to figure after spending decades teaching school and with La Follette Police, Ben Baird touched countless lives. As a result, members of the community will have a chance to show their support for the late, long time chief of police, as a receiving of friends is being held all day today until 7pm at Walters Funeral Home.

Baird, who passed away Monday morning at his home, will be honored and remembered on Friday with a law enforcement led procession from Walters Funeral Home to the Fincastle Cemetery at 629 Old Middlesboro Highway.

“We’ll have all law enforcement gather along East Central Avenue at 10:30 Friday morning with the procession starting at 11am. At least one lane of East Central Avenue will be shutdown,” said La Follette Chief of Police Matthew Forsyth.

Chief Forsyth will deliver the graveside eulogy.

Related stories including heartfelt comments from Chief Forsyth are found HERE and HERE from WLAF. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/28/2026-6AM)