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Incident
Lieutenant William Taylor was shot and mortally wounded during a domestic call at 321 East Fourth Street in Mansfield. Lieutenant Taylor and two other officers responded to a report of a man shooting a gun in the air after threatening his family members. When the officers arrived, the man went into his bedroom and refused to come out. When he finally agreed to come out, he had a .22 cal. pistol in his hand. When Lieutenant Taylor grabbed the gun, the suspect pulled away and shot the officer twice in the abdomen. One of the other officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Lieutenant Taylor died from his wounds eight days later. Lieutenant Taylor was a United States Navy World War II veteran, having served as a boatswain's mate aboard an LSM in several Pacific invasions. He served with the Mansfield Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Lieutenant Taylor gave the Mansfield Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mansfield community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William J. Taylor served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mansfield Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 2 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1949, 65 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 113th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1949, 65 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 122nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 38. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 38. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 17%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Mansfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mansfield Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Military Service
William J. Taylor served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit William J. Taylor’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mansfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
