Walter M. Baker, who served 24 years as a Democratic state senator from Cecil County, died at Christiana (Del.) Hospital last week. He was 84. Baker was elected to the Maryland Senate in 1978, representing Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. He served through 2002 after being defeated by Republican E.J. Pipkin in the 2002 general election. Baker served as chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee in the Maryland State Senate from 1987-2003. During his 16 years as chairman of Judicial Proceedings, one of only four standing committees in the Maryland Senate, Baker gained a reputation among his colleagues as a tough, no-nonsense chairman.