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| Comforting each other |
| Eric's best friends as his pallbearers |
| A hero's farewell |
| Eric's last escort |
| Kirven and Jason drapping Eric's casket |
| Officers from everywhere came to pay their last respects |
| Honoring a fallen officer |
| Words of comfort for Eric's wife Juanna and son |
| Neighboring communities taking up a collection for Eric's family |
| A makeshift memorial was started the day after Eric's death.Remained for a month and hopefully there will be a permanent memorial constructed |
| Our city grieves!!!! |
| The aftermath of the deadly shootout..leaving Officer Eric B.Taylor dead and the suspect dead. Aug.9, 2002 |
| I created this memorial page for Eric for two reasons.1. He will always be in our hearts and memory.2. For my own healing process...that night was a reality check for myself, a gut wrenching,soul shaking experience.For as I listen to this unfold on my scanner...and I heard those dreaded words "Shots fired..Officer down" I did not know who the officer was.I went to the scene ...took that long dreadful walk and prayed "Dear Lord please don't let it be my son!"It was at this exact same time that my son stepped forward from the crowd and motioned to me he was ok and to go back.The reality is I could have been burying my son.I was shaken to the core that night.Eric was an only child also and I admire his family's strength,courage and faith.Mrs.Taylor is a remarkable woman and the community will not forget that her son gave the ultimate sacrifice. |
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I live in a small community of approximately 33,000 residents. On Aug.9th 2002 our community suffered a horrific tragedy. Officer Eric.B.Taylor was killed by a evil man who's beliefs does not recognize local police as authority. Thus what started out as a routine traffic stop on a Interstate highway by a Ohio state trooper ended in tragedy. The suspect was pulled over on a speeding viloation but instead of taking the ticket he fled.Now this turned into a high speed pursuit in access of 100 mph. The trooper radioed for help in next upcoming city,which is my city! Our officers replyed to the call and then all HELL broke loose. The suspect started firing his weapon as soon as our Officers were in view and also began ramming their cruisers with his vehicle. One officer Eric.B.Taylor tried to exit his vehicle to get set to help his comrads in this shoot out, while ducking for cover Eric was shot in the back just under his vest. The bullet traveled through his body and never exited.Eric died as a result of his wounds. The other officers took aim and killed the suspect.I will not honor this evil man by stating his name,he does not deserve that.He was a 61 yr.old Constitionalist who's twisted beliefs took the life of a excellant officer,friend,son,husband and father. The following photos will depict the scene as the invesigators put the pieces together. |