John H. Baker Jr., 72; former lawman also played four seasons with the L.A. Rams

John H. Baker Jr., 72, a former NFL defensive lineman who played four seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and went on to a law enforcement career, died in his sleep Wednesday at his home in Raleigh, N.C., his family said. He had suffered a stroke last year.

Born in Raleigh in 1935, Baker attended North Carolina Central University on a football scholarship and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1958. He spent 11 years in the NFL with the Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. He may be best known for his 1964 tackle of New York Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle, who was photographed sitting bloody in the end zone, according to Baker’s citation in the Raleigh Hall of Fame.

In the off-season, Baker worked with the Raleigh Police Department as a youth counselor and was the city’s first black police officer.

When he left the NFL, he became the first black person appointed to the North Carolina parole board, on which he served eight years until being elected Wake County sheriff in 1978.

Baker served in the post for 24 years, until he was defeated in 2002.