Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Nathaniel Taylor was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest three suspects who were robbing a bar. Detective Robert Walls was also shot and wounded in the incident and later died from his wounds. Sergeant Taylor and Detective Walls were off-duty and patronizing V & J Tavern on Seventh Street in Newark, New Jersey. Three masked men entered the bar and announced a robbery. When Sergeant Taylor attempted to intervene, he was shot and killed by one of the suspects. Detective Walls drew his weapon, but was also shot and seriously wounded by one of the suspects. He died 24 days later from his wounds. Two suspects, including the getaway car driver, were later apprehended and charged with murder. A fourth suspect was apprehended on June 17, 1986. All four 17, 18, 18, and 21, were convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to two consecutive 30 year terms. Two will be eligible for parole in 2045, and the two others will be eligible in 2046.
Survivors
Sergeant Taylor had served with the Essex County Sheriff's Department for 26 years and is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NJ-2F720E18- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Taylor gave the Essex County Sheriff's Office 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Newark community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Nathaniel H. 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 NJ, 264 of 646 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40.9% of this state's fallen. That is 13.3 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Essex County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nathaniel H. Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How Nathaniel H. Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 60 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nathaniel H. Taylor is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nathaniel H. Taylor was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Essex County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
