PHOENIX -- Funeral services are set for Wednesday for the Arizona Department of Public Safety DPS officer killed while trying to stop a fleeing suspect on a north Phoenix freeway.

DPS officer Chris Marano, 28, was laying down spike strips on Loop 101 and Seventh Street to stop the vehicle Georgia Baker, 43, of Phoenix, is accused of driving when he was struck and killed by a DPS patrol car involved in the chase.

Marano’s funeral is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 23 at Christ Church of the Valley, 7007 W. Happy Valley Road, in Peoria.

A public visitation is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Christopher Marano Memorial Fund, which has been established at:

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union (DSFCU)
Account: #4326392835

Marano, 28, was a father of four who worked for DPS for more than three years.

Baker pulled off the freeway, fled on foot and was captured hiding on the balcony of a condominium.

Police said she is a repeat offender who recently got out of prison.

Baker has been convicted eight times since 2000 on a variety of charges, and served two years in prison beginning in 2005 on a burglary conviction, said Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Doug Matteson.

She once worked for a Tempe tile company, Atlas Design. The owner told the court he took a chance on her -- and she repaid him by breaking in, deactivating the alarm, then stealing credit card machines and employee files.

Prescott police launched a five-day manhunt for Baker and her boyfriend after an officer spotted them in a stolen car. Baker eluded cops initially when “she pulled out a revolver and placed it to her head and threatened suicide,” according to court records.

“What stands out is she’s a product of the system. She's been in and out of our custody in Maricopa County since 2000," said Deputy Doug Matteson, of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Baker also got a few breaks from the system, taking plea deals and receiving probation for a number of crimes.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s office did not comment on Baker’s plea deals.

Baker eventually spent two-and-a-half years in the Arizona prison system after violating the terms of her probation.

The pursuit began near 56th Street and Loop 101 when DPS officers tried to pull Georgia Lynn Baker, 43, over because the license plate of the SUV she was driving was reported stolen, DPS said. With the help of a witness, Phoenix police officers caught up with her at a condominium complex a few miles away.

She had ditched the SUV and was hiding in a bush when officers and their dogs arrived, a witness said.

Officer Chris Marano Visitation: Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. Funeral: Wednesday, 10 a.m.

The 100 Club said it will be providing assistance to Marano's wife Shelley Marano, who is a correctional officer, and his four children, ages 7, 5, 5 and 4 months.

Sharon Knutson-Felix, 100 Club's executive director, said what the other officer is feeling is hard to comprehend but she's convinced the Valley's law enforcement community will step forward and help this officer cope with what happened.

"I think it's just like with your children," she said. "If they make a mistake, you will rally around them and you'll help them get through this," Felix said.

"We prepare ourselves for taking another life, which is tough, but not one of our own," said DPS Lt. Jim Warriner. "He'll have to live with that. It will stick with him a long time. He will definitely need some counseling."

DPS would not reveal the name of the officer who hit Marano. The officer sustained a broken hand in the accident and will need surgery.

Harrison said the officer is shaken knowing his actions contributed to Marano's death.

"He knows he struck the officer. And now he knows that his actions contributed to the officer's death," Harrison said. "He's having a very difficult time with that, as you can well imagine."