Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Taylor was shot and killed while he and other officers searched a home for a murder suspect. As he was searching the upstairs he was ambushed by the suspect from behind a door. The suspect shot Officer Taylor twice and then surrendered to other officers. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Taylor had served with the agency for 6 years and was assigned to the Burglary Unit.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-927DE2F5- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Taylor gave the Grand Rapids Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joseph Floyd 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Grand Rapids Police Department, 8 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Floyd Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Floyd Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Floyd Taylor is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Floyd Taylor was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
