SANTA CRUZ -- Local businesses and residents have so far committed $125,000 to seed a scholarship fund for the families of fallen Santa Cruz police Sgt. Loran Baker and detective Elizabeth Butler.

The effort was spearheaded by PredPol, the Santa Cruz-based predictive policing company that partnered with the police department to develop a predictive policing program.

"We view Santa Cruz Police as our family and this loss as a family loss," said Caleb Baskin, CEO of PredPol. "We want to encourage the community to join with us in committing funds to help these families during these unbelievably difficult times."

Major contributors to the fund include Plantronics, Ow Family Businesses, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, PredPol, Baskin & Grant Law Firm, Erik's Deli Cafe, Barry Swenson Builder, Santa Cruz Warriors and NextSpace Coworking.

Other contributors include Bookshop Santa Cruz, Dell Williams, Lighthouse Bank, Timerie Gordon and Christian Nelson, the Pacific Collegiate Charter School board of directors, Joseph Marini III, Whitings Foods, the Penny Ice Creamery, Santa Cruz County treasurer Fred Keeley, County Supervisor Zach Friend, Marybeth Campbell and Carolyn Hill, Sun Shops, Bruce and Mary McPherson, former mayor Ryan Coonerty and Emily Bernard, Mayor Hilary Bryant and David Shuman.

Members of the community who wish to donate to the fund may do so at the city of Santa Cruz' website at