Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today marks the 37th year of your death. I drive the 10fwy and pass the location of your death a couple of times a week.
I am remembering you today and now that I know I will remember you you every time I drive by that spot.
Continue to rest in peace Officer Taylor.

ElizabethWidow of Deputy Michael Haugen.Riverside County Sheriffs Department

November 26, 2024

Well Mark, the location of your open beer has been moved to outside of lima, Peru...... this new one is full and waiting for you. After way too long, I finally made it to Benton Harbor and was finally able to honor you properly...... at leaast the way I kow you would like it. We shared a beer talking of th academy days and Indio.....I'll see you soon buddy..... hopefully god lets us drink in heaven. Miss you buddy, 11629

STO Paul Bristow retired
California Highway patrol

March 12, 2024

Still remembered and honored. Semper Fi my friend. Rest in Peace.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

November 23, 2023

Mark, I can't believe it has been 36 years. I still remember our academy days, graduation and patroling the highways of California. Time has passed but you are never forgotten. Rest in Peace. Allan

Ret. Lt. Allan K Iversen Jr
Classmate CTC 2-85

November 27, 2022

Thank you for your service. Drove by your memorial sign on the I10 today on my way to La Quinta.

Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol 5342 ( retired )

August 4, 2022

Still in our hearts and always remembered. Semper Fi Marine. Thank you for your service in our beloved Corps and our Blue & Gold…God bless you and you family.

State Traffic Officer 7185.
California Highway Patrol & US Marine

November 26, 2021

Well Mark..... it has now been over 33 years since we took you home to Benton Harbor but it looks like I will finally be able to share that beer with you that we couldn't on that snowy day in December, 1987..... I will be there soon my friend.....and I have someone I want you to meet.... my Sandy.......I hope you still like Budweiser.... 11629

STO Paul Bristow 11629
California Highway Patrol

August 18, 2021

Mark, 32 years ago and never forgotten. Brenda and family always in our prayers.

Robert Berriman
California Highway Patrol #9103R

November 26, 2019

Semper Fi Marine. You will always be with us. I hope your wife and Little girl are well. GOD bless you and your family.

State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
CHP Motor Officer

November 26, 2018

In His Kingdom we will recognize each other's souls at a glance.

When we call departed love ones by name they see us

Sergeant Mike Powers(Retired)
City of South Houston Police Dept, S. Houston, Texas

September 8, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother. You are honored and remembered today the 30th anniversary of your E.O.W. Thank you and your family for your service and sacrifice.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 26, 2017

I was stationed with Mark Taylor aboard Camp Pendleton, CA from 1983-1984 at Corrections Battalion, 22 Area. He was a correctional officer and I was an administrator. I remember Mark as a kind loving, caring man. He always spoke of his daughter Kristie to me. I was saddened when I heard the news but I will not forget those days as a Marine that we both shared. May he rest in peace!!
Georgia E. Reyna

Master Gunnery Sergeant (Retired) USMC
GEORGIA E REYNA

November 27, 2015

What beautiful offerings for a great man! As my cousin stated above, Mark was a goofball, often at the expense of his beloved family :) One thing he never joked about was his job. He was honored and proud to be a CHP. Mark lived life to the fullest, which makes me wonder if he somehow knew he would only have a few years on this earth. He taught a shy 17 year old how to not take life so seriously, and enjoy every moment, no matter what. I know that you watch over all of your family and I am so thankful you were a part of my life. P.S. The "hookers" are experiencing life, going outside, and smiling!

Tracy Shilling
Niece

November 14, 2015

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 24, 2015

I witnessed that "accident". As I passed, a group of motorists were trying to lift the 5000 pound El Dorado off of him. The reason the granny lady was "distracted" and rear ended the car he was citing was, she was leaning over while snuffing out her cigarette. I watched her weaving out of her lane every time she flicked an ash into her ashtray.
She shouldn't have been driving. She was on her way from Camarillo to Palm Springs and didn't even realize she had already passed Palm Springs.
His life snuffed for a snuffed-out cigarette. Pitiful.
FYI, the car she hit had a young female occupant, also from Camarillo. She barely lived. The impact broke her car in half and left the rear section knocked out into the desert. There was too much dust to see the front half she was still strapped into.

retired mechanic
none

August 27, 2015

Mark, it's been 26 years now.... it still seems like yesterday.... The clear morning, sun shining... turkeys cooking. My mom walking out of the house, all she said was, "Mark".
I rushed up the street to your old home and walked in, fighting the belief that you would not show up. The house was filled with brothers in arms and family from another office, but to everyone, the blank watery eyes staring back at me with the question, "why, why Mark?"
Brenda asked me to be one of the few who watched over you. We took you home to Benton Harbor.... snowy cold day, but you as always looked sharp.
I opened a beer for you my friend,when I got back home. It has evaporated over the years but I like to think that you snuck in every once in a while to take a sip... It's funny, I thought that writing these would get easier as time passed... I was wrong. Miss you buddy.

I know you are there watching over us but

Paul Bristow #11629R
California Highway Patrol

November 26, 2013

Officer Taylor...Thank you for your service. I drove by your new memorial sign on the I10 yesterday; both directions.

Tim Liddell #5342
CA Hwy Patrol (retired)

October 25, 2013

Classmates, CTC 2-85

Rest in Peace, my brother; we will carry the load for you from this date forward.

Blessed be you for the sacrifice you have made.

John Malcolm, Cadet, CHP CTC 2-85
Officer, Honolulu Police Department, 1979-1985

Cadet John Malcolm
California Highway Patrol

September 30, 2013

Ese, I tell everybody about how you were and that you are my best friend. Every time I pronounce a word with a ch or sh, I catch myself laughing. I miss you brother.

RM

July 28, 2013

Mark Thomas Taylor
5/17/1959 - 11/26/1987

25 years ago today, November 26th, 1987, on a calm Thanksgiving morning with beautiful clear skies, a California Highway Patrolman was on Patrol. He was planning an early Thanksgiving dinner with his family… he never made it home. State Traffic Officer Mark Thomas Taylor had stopped a car and was writing a “fix it” ticket when he was struck and killed instantly by an elderly lady trying to get the football game on her car radio.

In a fraction of a second, a loving wife became a widow, a beautiful little daughter lost her daddy, The Patrol lost a good man, and I lost a true friend.

The world hasn’t stopped since that day so long ago. But Mark isn’t gone. He is with us every day. He lives on in the hearts and memories of those of us who were lucky to have known him, as well as those who have seen the sparkle in the eyes of the story tellers remembering their friend.

We took Mark home to Michigan to lay him to rest, but I know, today, he is here with us on the I-10 once again. Looking out my window, the day is eerily similar to that day 25 years ago…. but today, we are not mourning you my friend... we are celebrating you memory. Sorry it took so long.

Peace and Blessings to all who remember the man, the father, the friend, as well as to those who never got the chance to know him... you would have liked him.

I miss you buddy…

Paul R. Bristow
CHP #11629R

STO Paul Bristow #11629 R
California Highway Patrol (retired)

November 26, 2012

State Traffic Officer Mark Taylor will finally be honored for his ultimate sacrifice 25 years to the day of his death. If you are in the southern California area, please come to the Indio office on 11-26-2012 at 1100 hours so we can remember Mark, the man... Mark, the Officer... Mark, the friend... and Mark, the loving husband of Brenda and father of Kristie...

STO Paul Bristow #11629R
California Highway Patrol (retired)

November 14, 2012

Mark, It's almost been 25 years since that damned morning my friend. But I know you are still watching out for us just as I know you were there March 5th, 1988. I know it was you... I still haven't figured out why. I know you are watching your family... Brenda, Kristie, their husbands and your grand children... My God Mark, you are a grandfather!!!!

I remember the day we met at the Academy... you had just been posted to Indio and I walked up, introduced myself and gave you a copy of the Desert Sun... Then there was one of my last ride alongs (I went to Indio for it) and you and your training Officer roll by while we were on a stop... You were the image of the Highway Patrolman I wanted to become and did become.
The day the state recognizes your service and dedication... I'll be there... no matter where I have to come from, I'll be there...
That Thanksgiving morning was so long ago yet to me, it was yesterday... I still can't drive on that stretch of roadway... miss you buddy. 11629 R

Paul R. Bristow #11629R
California Highway Patrol

November 1, 2012

You are remembered today and your memory and sacrifice are honored. Brenda, thanks for sharing your beautiful love story with us. I am holding you and your daughter in my heart's embrace today.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 13, 2012

Mark, my high school sweetheart, my best friend, my husband and the father of my one and only child you wll never be forgotten! You life was short but in those few years you had an impact on so many lives, especially mine. You were my first love! I wished you could have been here to see your daughter grow up. Kristie has missed you so bery much and your 3 beautiful granddaughters wish they could have known their grandpa Mark. We talk of you often and share as many stories with them that we can (the appropriate ones :)

When I think of you I smile! You life on in our hearts forever! Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you willingly made. I would never had expected anything less...this is the man you will always be remembered as!

Your loving wife...AKA Lola :)

P.S Thank you to everyone who has posted here. I cried as I read the posts, it truly touches me deeply to know that he is not forgotten!!

Please fill free to contact me. I love being able to share with my granddaughters memories that others have of their grandpa!

[email protected]

Brenda Taylor
Wife of Fallen Officer-Mark Thomas Taylor

January 6, 2012

Mark, I cannot believe that it will be 25 years. I still bicycle to DC in HONOR of You and other fallen officers. You have not been forgotten and I still cherish our academy class memories and the friendships that were formed. I will be riding this year in your memory. You and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers. Allan

Ret. Lt. Allan Iversen
Suffolk Police Dept.

January 3, 2012