End of Watch August 29, 2026
Age 38
Badge Not available
The Vigil Panel 227 ›

Incident

Wildlife Officer David Taylor was killed while trying to evacuate residents during the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County, Oklahoma.

Officer Taylor was going door to door to notify citizens to leave the area due to the fast-moving fire. His last contact was while he was assisting a family as they evacuated their home. His body was recovered from a structure days later.

I’m saddened to learn of your tragic loss. I wish to thank you for your service to our nation, as well as to the people of Comanche County, OK. I will pray for your wife and son, as well as all of the rest of your family, friends, loved ones and colleagues. Rest in peace.

Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Survivors

Officer Taylor was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the United States Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - Division of Refuge Law Enforcement at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. He was previously assigned to the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. Survivors include his wife, son, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-26370412
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
September 2, 2026
Last updated
September 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Taylor, served with the United States Department of The Interior.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Taylor,.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Falls Church, VA
Platform Identity usdifwsdrlecons.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 29, 2026
Age 38
Badge Number Not available

Incident Details

Cause Undetermined

Officer Taylor, is one of 1 officers lost under undetermined circumstances across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In VA, 0 of 655 officers were lost under undetermined circumstances — 0% of this state's fallen.

United States Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - Division of Refuge Law Enforcement
0
of 9 officers
0% Undetermined
VA — Statewide
0
of 655 officers
0% Undetermined
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Undetermined

National Cause Distribution

How Undetermined compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Taylor,'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Taylor, Compares

Age at Death
38
This officer
Avg for Undetermined: 34.2 years

When Undetermined Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Undetermined deaths across the full memorial record. Taylor, is highlighted in Aug.

Jan
30
Feb
17
Mar
23
Apr
27
May
30
Jun
35
Jul
32
Aug
30
Sep
24
Oct
32
Nov
23
Dec
31