Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Taylor was shot and killed when he and three other officers went to a home at 124 Illinois Avenue in Memphis to arrest four men who had held up a street car.
Patrolman Taylor and the other officers were able to get three of the four suspects to surrender. As they were taking those suspects into custody, the fourth suspect opened fire through a window of the house, striking Patrolman Taylor in the chest. Patrolman Taylor was able to return fire as he fell, but neither of the shots hit the suspect. The other officers at the scene returned fire, but the suspect was able to escape.
Patrolman Taylor had served with the Memphis Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-D33B4A4D- 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.
Patrolman Taylor gave the Memphis Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John M. 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Escaped
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Taylor is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Taylor was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
