Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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 whose 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

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

November 30, 2022

To the Family of Deputy Christopher Taylor, my heart breaks for you. You don’t know me but our sons attended the Police Academy together. They became friends and kept in touch after graduating. Your son went to Charlotte County and mine went to Sarasota County. For months they trained together, laughed together, broke bread together and created a bond. I am so sorry for your loss. For whatever reasons our sons chose to protect and serve, to be hero’s and to serve their communities. No one person can heal your pain, and no one person will grieve Christopher like you all will, but hopefully the outpouring of love and support will provide comfort to you all at this time. Christopher, you sweet young man, although I did not get the chance to meet you, I know you were destined to do great things and make a difference in this world. It is the worlds loss you were taken so soon. May you rest in peace.

Linda O’Koren
Mother of Sarasota County Deputy

November 30, 2022

God bless you and watch over your family. You will be greatly missed by family, friends and your brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement.

Retired Detective Claudia Varela
Hialeah

November 30, 2022

God bless you Deputy Christopher Taylor. You are a true hero and will be missed. Thank you to your mom and dad Lt. (Ret.) Richard Taylor, for raising a such a great kid with tremendous compassion .

Lt. (Ret) John Rossi
Collier County Sheriff’s Office

November 30, 2022

Very sad. Rest in peace brother.

Former Corporal Brian Sullivan
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

November 29, 2022

Thank You for your dedication and commitment. Rest On Brother

Lt. Cardarious Walker
Pulaski County Sheriffs Office

November 29, 2022

Chris, I will always and forever be proud of everything you did, especially your willingness to learn. We will meet again, this I am sure. Until Valhalla my friend.

Detective Matthew Chandler
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

November 29, 2022

God Bless You, Your Family, & Friends.
Thank you for your unselfish service to protect your community.

James P. Waggle, Jr.
US Army Veteran (SFC)
Civilian

November 29, 2022

Onward and upward brother. Much like you, I am 23 and very new into law enforcement. My heart aches for your family. I saw your father was a police officer as well…we seem to have a lot in common. Rest easy my friend.

Recruit Ofc. Logan Fitch
Lincoln Police Department #1955

November 28, 2022

Praying for peace and comfort today and in the days ahead. With deepest sympathy,

Rita Rocker
Deputy Executive Director
Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

November 28, 2022

Rest in peace Brother.

Captain A. Hoopes
Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office Va.

November 28, 2022

Gid Bless him n watch over his family
In this time of tremendous paid.
May he Rest in Peace.

Ret Det Vincent Sinnott
NYPD

November 27, 2022

My Son
I Am so so sorry I was not there to protect You

Never Forgotten

You are Loved & Missed

Dad

Lt Richard Taylor Jr
Father

November 27, 2022

Rest In Peace Deputy Taylor my sincere condolences to your family, fiancee and your department. God speed as you now patrol the streets of gold. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Fair winds and following seas brother, we have the watch.

TERRY F ZECH OFC RET
Department of Veteran Affairs Police Department Detroit Michigan

November 27, 2022

Rest in Peace warrior.

Master Deputy (Ret),OCSO, FL Larry Drak
Orange County Sheriff's Office (FL)

November 27, 2022

May God have mercy on your soul, and may you walk forever in his eternal grace. I pray for his family and coworkers.

Capt. Rich Bliven
STMFD

November 26, 2022

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired)

November 26, 2022

Sheriff Taylor, our world is full of evil people, and yet, you dedicated your life to protecting others that they may be safe. Our Lord, who sees all and knows all, will reward you abundantly for your courage, dedication and selfless service. My heart breaks for the sorrow that your parents and finacee are experiencing. May God immerse you and them in His Divine Mercy. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Jess Espinosa
Civilian

November 26, 2022

Thank you for your service. Prayers for your family and Department.

Sergeant Monica Veney
Baltimore Police Department

November 25, 2022

I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Deputy Sheriff Christopher Taylor I am sad to learn of the passing of a Brother and Hero in Police Officer Jordan Jackson. I believe our Heavenly Father has welcomed him home into his loving arms where he will now patrol the Golden Streets of Heaven. May the Lord deliver Blessings, Comfort and Peace to his family, friends and all Members of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Florida.

Retired, T W Martinez
FOP member
State of New Mexico/JJS

November 25, 2022

Rest in peace brother. I have made it my personal mission to get impaired drivers off the roadway. You should still be here with us.

Officer D. Lopez
Riverdale Police Department

November 25, 2022

may you rest easy brother.

Corrections Officer Keith Norris
Perry County sheriff's office

November 25, 2022

GOD BLESS YOU DEPUTY SHERIFF CHRIS TAYLOR AND GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS THANK YOU DEPUTY TAYLOR FOR YOUR SERVICE .REST IN PEACE. My heartfelt condolences to everyone touched by this tragic loss.

CLARK PD SPO OFFICER Art DeVre
Clark Police Dept.

November 25, 2022

So sorry

E
A fellow human

November 25, 2022

Rest in Peace Deputy Sheriff Christopher Taylor! Thank you for your 15 months of service with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, in Florida. We thank you for your devotion and your sacrifices, and also to your family and friends for their sacrifices. Our hearts break for your parents and your fiancée during this terrible tragedy, and we want them to know that you will never be forgotten! Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the rest of your family and to all of your sisters and brothers in Blue that protect us. God bless you all!! (Matthew 5:9)

Kelly & Eddie King

November 24, 2022