Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-36A12ADB- 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 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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Lieutenant William J. 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mansfield Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Taylor is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Taylor was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Mansfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
