Officer Jeff Taylor, Who Died On Duty After May 22nd Tornado, Honored Today
By: Drew Moore
Updated: May 6, 2012
JEFFERSON CITY, MO-- A ceremony to honor the lives of 9 fallen officers was held today in Jefferson City. A dozen family members of Officer Jefferson Taylor came to honor his memory. Taylor's Aunt, Susan Harcourt, says the ceremony was bittersweet. "Everything was just so beautiful. It's just hard that he couldn't be here."
Taylor served as a Master Patrolman with the Riverside Police Department. He was struck by lightning on May 23rd while on duty responding to the Joplin tornado. Riverside Police Captain Gary Mcmullin says Taylor's loss is had a big impact on his department. "We got through it. We're getting through it with our officers, and with the family.
Including Taylor, 9 officers who died within the last two years received name plates in the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon spoke at the ceremony. "You are here this morning in a show of compassion and solidarity for your fellow officers, who are no longer with us." Nixon said. "And for their families who are."
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says it's important to honor the officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. "It's the men and women in blue who always answer the call for help."
Taylor's grandmother, Phyllis Taylor, says it was tragic to lost such a great man. "We are not alone in this game. I hope that nobody else has to go through it."
