Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff John Taylor was shot and killed while chasing an escaping prisoner. He and a local constable had arrested two brothers they suspected of cattle rustling. Upon searching the men Sheriff Taylor discovered one of them was carrying pistol balls. When he asked for the pistol the man said he did not have one. As they reached the jail the suspects suddenly broke free and ran with the sheriff in pursuit. The man who had been carrying the pistol balls pulled out a hidden pistol and shot Sheriff Taylor, killing him. The suspect was apprehended several moments later. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On March 27, 1857, he was executed by hanging on the farm of the current sheriff in one of the last public executions held in the state. Sheriff Taylor had served with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 18-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-97D0EECB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
170 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Taylor gave the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John F. Taylor is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1857
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Taylor is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Taylor was killed by handgun; pistol.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Winnebago County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
