Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Officer Taylor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2020

Six years prior to his death, Joe was a police officer with the Western Michigan University Department of Public Safety. That is where I met him and we became friends. Western was a typical college culture with no real criminal activity being a persistent problem. Joe longed for the responsibilities of a "real" police officer. He asked if he would be better suited for a more challenging police department and I said he was.

He joined the Grand Rapids Police Department and the next time I saw him, I was among the many law enforcement officers who attended his funeral. His death promoted me to add him to the many I hold close in my guilt of having survived sixteen years as a police officer. I had told him to go and many times, I wished I had not. He would have gone anyway to follow his passion and that was being a police officer.

Robert L. Clemmons
Retired

November 22, 2013

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to serve others.
You were asked to see, what no man should ever have to see.
To go through, what no man should ever have to go through.
But you did so with pride, honor, and integrity.

My faithful servant.
You were called upon to defend those, who could not defend themselves.
To provide justice to those, who did not respect it.
To lay down your life, if the time called for it.
Again, you did not question what was asked of you.
You did it with love, compassion, and loyalty.

My faithful servant.
In times of adversity, you prayed for strength.
In times of triumph, you praised your Lord.
You served your Country, State, and city proud.
Your service will forever be remembered by the many lives you’ve touched.

My faithful servant.
When your service on this earth is finally complete.
I will welcome you home with open arms.
I will embrace you and proclaim,
“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Sergeant Barton
Garden City PD

November 12, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 23rd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 17, 2009

Remember you on this 23rd anniversary. Thank you for your years of service to Grand Rapids.

Anonymous

November 17, 2009

Thank you for your years of service. God Bless you and your family!!

Anonymous

May 11, 2009

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

October 27, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 29, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 14, 2007

I had the honor and the pleasure of going to the Detroit Police Academy with J.T. as we called him. We were both in Class 78I and we started on Jan 23, 1978. We were part of a experimental unit called the Beat Series and you could see that J.T. had the stuff to be a good officer, I will always remember him as a quiet person who always had your back.

PO KENNETH HAYES
DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT

July 9, 2007

I REMEMBER JOE AS A VERY FRIENDLY AND NICE PERSON. WE GREW UP TOGETHER, I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HIS SISTER JUNE. JOE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED WITH FONDNESS AND LOVE.

BETTY SHARP-HARMON
CHILDHOOD FRIEND

July 8, 2007

I just wanted to say hay, little brother i miss you ,but i know we will see each soon. We all are very proud of you and the path you choose. when times are hard and I just can't go on , i sit and think of a very loving and caring man that always had a soft word of wisdom to share. I hear you still joe thanks for being my light so i can be the man i am. I love you lil bro.

Robert L. Taylor
brpther

November 23, 2006

Dear uncle joe I miss you very much I never got to meet you. but I herd great things about you and seen pictures of you. And I have seen your grave but havn seen the park yet but I here It's great! Thats why I wish you were here FROM:Joseph Taylor

Family Joseph Taylor
Uncle joe

November 22, 2006

November 22, 2006


My brother was a rare officer. He took pride in his
work. He would council the people he arrested and
they remembered him for that because he loved people
and children. I thank God that I had him for the 29
years. I have son who named after his uncle and even
though he did'nt know him in the flesh, his spirit
lives on through him. A Loving Sister June

JUNE E. TAYLOR
SISTER

November 22, 2006

Brother Taylor,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 1, 2006

Hey Joe,
This last May we dedicated a Memorial in the police department to honor you and the other officers we have lost in the line of duty. Your parents were here just like they have been every year since you were killed. They were pleased with the Memorial which made us thankful.
I thank God that I was able to know you even though it was too short. I really miss you, your smile, and your big heart! Take care, my friend!

Captain Pam Carrier
Grand Rapids Police Department

October 3, 2005

I had the honor of serving the citzens of Detroit and Grand Rapids Mi along with Joe. We were laid off from Detroit and both went to work in Grand Rapids. I went back to Detroit and Joe stayed in Grand Rapids. As I sit here and write this, I can still hear his laughter. He was a good police officer and he was my friend. Although it has been more than 18 years, I still remember that day I got that call. As I was driving back to Detroit from the funeral, for some reason I glanced over at a highway exit sign. The exit number was 117 and the sign was sort of pushed back and the arrow pointed up. I smiled and was at peace because 117 was Joe's badge number and I knew he was in heaven. Joe I think about you when ever I see 117 and when ever I see 11-17. You are missed my friend.

Sgt. Michael Moore (ret)
Detroit Police Dept, Grand Rapids Police Dept.

May 19, 2005

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

November 17, 2004

Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace.

Police Officer
Chicago Police

September 19, 2004

Your scholarship has given many young people the chance to earn a college education and continue the journey that was cut way too short for you. Thank you for your sacrifice. You will never be forgotten.

Det. Michael Maycroft
Grand Rapids Police Department

September 16, 2004

Rest in Peace....................

Don Mathers

September 4, 2004