Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your dedicated service to your community and to Law Enforcement. RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

January 4, 2024

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

August 7, 2020

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 7, 2020

Rest in peace Detective Taylor. A hero representing North Carolina folks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 14, 2018

It is not a week goes by that I don't think about Dave and his Dad along with his mom and sister. We truly miss Dave and his talents.

Keith Beck
Friend

May 16, 2017

To Dave Taylor's Family, Friends and Co-workers,

Just wanted you to know Dave is still in my thoughts because of the way he impacted me in a positive manner.... He is still and will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I miss him too and he isn't forgotten...

Det. Chuck Corning
Tempe (AZ) PD Bomb Squad

May 27, 2013

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. I know they miss you terribly and have kept you in their thoughts on a daily basis. I would like to leave the following for your parents:

"The sense of loss does not diminish with time. In truth, the expression 'time heals all wounds' is a myth. For parents, the loss of a child is permanent, and mental scar tissue really does not grow over the grim memory. Rather, all tears are expended and a dull ache remains."

You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

August 7, 2010

"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

December 26, 2007

I was a former zone partner of Dave's and just recently learned of his death. I deeply regret not staying in touch with him as I considered him a good friend and a great co-worker. It just does not seem real seeing his photo on this webpage. He was a fine man of great character who had a great skill that he used to make this world a better place to live. May he rest in peace!

Capt. Matt Howell
Johnson City, TN Police Dept.

December 21, 2007

We want to thank everyone for your kind words.
We miss Dave daily and keep him in our hearts.

Mr. & Mrs David Taylor Sr.

August 12, 2007

Time passes so quickly. You"re sacrifice, and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace brother!!!

NC Sheriff

August 10, 2007

DETECTIVE TAYLOR, MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

August 7, 2007

6 years have come and gone since your tragic and untimely death. I know the pain is still fresh in the hearts and minds of your family and friends. May they all take comfort in the fact that you will FOREVER be a hero and NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
Fayetteville, AR PD

August 7, 2007

Six years have passed since your EOW and you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones. You are a true hero and we thank you for your dedicated service to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon
Father of Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

August 7, 2007

Detective Taylor,
Today is the sixth anniversary of your EOW. My thoughts are with your family and friends as they remember the hero you are. Thank you for serving with honor and committment.

Pennsylvania citizen

August 7, 2007

People have been deeply touched by your life and example. Time has not diminished your sacrifice
or service. Thank you for your many contributions to
law enforcement.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

August 7, 2007

Today Dave would have turned 41. You will always be in my heart! I love you little brother!

Tracy

November 27, 2006

On angels ...

"The wings ain't anything but a uniform, that's all. When they're in the field so to speak, they always wear them." - Taken from Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

David,
It's five years today ... you're not forgotten ...

August 7, 2006

To the family and friends of Detective Taylor and fellow officers in the Greensboro Pollice Department:

I was saddened to hear of the death of Detective David Taylor that occurred in the line of duty. On behalf of my family, I wish to extend our sincerest condolences for the grievous loss you have suffered. May you be comforted by the circle of love and support that will continue to be offered by the law enforcement community, and other police survivors. David's dedication to his job will be forever remembered and honored. From Captain Hastings' reflction, I can see that David was an extraordinary officer and that he will forever be in the heart of his loved one, including his best friend Captain Hastings.

My youngest son, Larry Lasater of the Pittsburg, California Police Department was fatally shot on April 23, 2005 while on a foot pursuit of two bank robbers. Larry and I were both born in Durham and still have most of our family in North Carolina. My family knows your agony well as does my son's best friends, three of them who was with him when he was shot.


This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the years of service Detective Taylor gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on August 7, 2001.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer
Larry Lasater, Pittsburg Police Dept
eow 4/24/05

August 27, 2005

Dave Taylor was not only my very best friend. He was a world class police officer. He was a specialist in technical investigations and surveillance. He was also a member of our Bomb Squad. He was a true expert who treasured being a police officer. I can't tell you just how truly gifted he was with electronics. As a personal friend he was loyal and thoughtful and could always generate a smile. He never went anywhere without his badge and gun because it was an honor for him to be a police detective. He will be missed professionally but the void in my personal life will never be filled. He was a world class friend!!!

Captain Gary Hastings
Greensboro Police Department

My parents and I want to thank all the law enforcement agencies from around the country for their support during this time. My brother was a very special person, and we have seen over the past 2 months just how many lives all around the country that he touched. We are especially greatful for the Greensboro Police Dept. Everyone was so helpful and caring, I don't think we could have gotten through this without you. Especially his best friend, Capt. Gary Hasting. He is truly a Godsend for us. This holiday season is going to be very hard for my parents, but we know Dave is in heaven and is happy, and we will get through this also. Please pray for us, as we are praying for all of you who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
God Bless Us All,
Tracy Taylor

Tracy Taylor
Dave's Sister

My Family will pray for the family, friends and law enforcement community during this very difficult time.
God Bless.

Janice Starnes, wife of
murdered Sgt. Dan R. Starnes
Morgan Co. Sheriff Dept. IN
Killed in the Line of Duty
July 10, 2001

janice
none

To the Family, Relatives, Friends, and Work Colleagues of Detective David L. Taylor,

We extend to you our warm arms of love and compassion especially in this difficult time. Our prayers are for you each and everyone.

But, remember, we mus strive to carry on this work..."To Protect and to Serve" just as Detective Taylor would wish us to do.


In Christ's Service,

Chaplain Jack H. Lanier, Jr.
Longview Police Department (TX)

Chaplain
Longview Police Department (TX)

To the Family, Relatives, Friends, and Work Colleagues of Detective David L. Taylor,

We extend to you our warm arms of love and compassion especially in this difficult time. Our prayers are for you each and everyone.

But, remember, we mus strive to carry on this work..."To Protect and to Serve" just as Detective Taylor would wish us to do.


In Christ's Service,

Chaplain Jack H. Lanier, Jr.
Longview Police Department (TX)

Chaplain
Longview Police Department (TX)

I was very sad to receive the news about Dave. I met Dave near the end of last year when we both attended school at Redstone Arsenal. During that time I got a good chance to know Dave and share time with him off duty as well as in class. We were able to make the best of the time we had, and he will be truly missed. My Prayers are with his family, may god also be with them.

Deputy Ron Phillips
Winnebago County Sheriff's Police