Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you Master Patrolman Taylor for your dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in Riverside. My condolences to your family, friends and co-workers. You are a true AMERICAN HERO !!!! May you forever, rest in peace, my brother...

Mitch Cheselka
Sergeant / CA-OR Retired

June 3, 2011

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO!

"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

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

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

June 3, 2011

Dear Family & Friends, Jeff was doing what he was born to do. My son is now an officer and deployed with others from his department to Joplin on the very day this tragedy began and it brought things into sharp perspective on all aspects of the danger involved when serving and protecting the public. Jeff gave the ultimate in this very service he was born to do... he will be missed but never forgotten. God Bless.

Officer John Gibson (ret. in Florida)
C.C.S.O. - Missouri

June 3, 2011

This has been a difficult year for both law enforcement in the line of duty, and the general community around the country dealing with so many deadly storms. Master Patrolman Taylor served his community, then went on to serve another community to help those in dire need. Thank you for your service and good will towards man. Those you helped, as well as all of us in the brotherhood, will never forget your willingness to help others. My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and Riverside Police Department. RIP in peace brother.

#5813
U.S. Marshals Service - Kansas City

June 3, 2011

Godspeed Patrolman Jefferson Taylor. May God's loving arms wrap around your family and friends.

Karen Ford, retired
Tulsa Police Dept.

June 3, 2011

My sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Master Patrolman Jefferson Taylor as well as to the Riverside Police Division. Rest in peace Master Patrolman Taylor, you are gone but will not be forgotten...

Dispatcher Sue Rusch
Punta Gorda PD, Punta Gorda FL

June 3, 2011

Rest easy, my brother. We've got your watch now.
Matthew 5:9

Cpl. Matt Hough
Greene County Sheriff's Office

June 3, 2011

Rest In Peace Brother.

Sgt. Claibourn
Cass County Sheriff's Office

June 3, 2011

With heavy hearts we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Master Patrolman Jefferson Taylor.

Chief Jeff McCartney
Osborn Fire Protection District

June 3, 2011

I do not know you, but I know your spirit ... the spirit present and that which will live on through your brothers and sisters who lay their lives on the line every day for us ... those who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice with their lives keeping us protected. Thank you Officer Taylor. May you rest in peace and may God bless your family, friends and fellow Officers.

Kelly Wingo
A Police Officer's Relative, Texas

June 3, 2011

Patrolman Taylor, you are a true hero. You will def be sadly missed. Rest in peace our brother.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester Police Dept

June 3, 2011

RIP brother!! God Bless Your family!!

CE Lima CCRPV
CCRPV

June 3, 2011

Rest in Peace Sir......

Officer Thomas Wiederhold, Retired
Fort Worth Police Dept. Tx.

June 3, 2011

We would like to send our warmest regards and deepest condolences to the family, friends and department of Master Patrolman Taylor. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult and sad time. Rest in Peace, Mst. Patrolman Taylor and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Members and Staff

June 3, 2011

R.I.P. brother Jefferson Taylor!!!

Husker Street Officer

June 3, 2011

Greater love hath this, than he willingly laid his life down for his fellow man. I did not know Master Patrolman Taylor, yet he is yet another member of the thin blue line.

I will continue to keep his family in my prayers!

God bless you for your selfless service to the people of not only Riveride, Missouri, but Joplin, Missouri as well!

Sergeant
Kansas City, Kansas Police Department

June 3, 2011

May you rest in peace after having served those around you. My thoughts are with you, your family, fellow officers and friends.

Reserve Officer Gary Krystof
Los Angeles Police Department

June 3, 2011

Master Patrolman Taylor thank you for your service. May God bless you and your family. Rest in peace. You will not be forgotten!

Lieutenant
Del Rio Police Department (Texas)s

June 3, 2011

Rest in peace. Your service is recognized and appreciated. All gave some.......Some gave all.

Sgt. Jeff Ussery
Greene County Missouri Sheriff's Office

June 3, 2011

RIP Officer Jeff Taylor,Your family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers!!! Thank You for your years of service and dedication!!God Speed My Brother!!

Bartlesville Police Reserves

Bartlesville, Oklahoma!!

Lt. Kim Lunsford
Bartlesville Police Reserves Bartlesville Oklahoma

June 3, 2011

I'm so sorry to hear about this tragic loss. Thank you for all of your selfless service. I will keep your family, friends, coworkers and community in my prayers. Rest in peace.

Officer's Wife
Cincinnati, OH

June 3, 2011

A bonafide hero, RIP officer Taylor !

Restired Sergeant
Evansville In. P.D.

June 3, 2011

May you rest in peace. Your service to your family, friends and the community will never be forgotten. You have made a difference in so many lives. You will be missed.

Battalion Chief John Cotton
Broward Sheriffs Office - Fire Rescue

June 3, 2011

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

June 3, 2011

Rest in peace, Master Patrolman Taylor. Thank you for your dedicated service to your community. Your sacrifice and that of your family will not be forgotten. Prayers for your family, friends, Riverside PD and law enforcement brothers & sisters. Godspeed, Hero.

Kathy B
Citizen

June 3, 2011