Prev
Incident
Constable John Taylor was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a rape suspect. He and another constable had responded to a rape call, and when they arrived on the scene, the suspect fled in a vehicle. The man crashed the vehicle and then fled on foot. As Constable Taylor approached the man near Forbes Road and South Main Street, he was shot in the face and killed. When the suspect was eventually apprehended in Virginia, it was discovered that he had escaped a Virginia State Prison. He was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the gas chamber on November 3rd, 1944.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, parents, two brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnd236j3nxhskd0mv0d6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Taylor served with the Wake Forest Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wake Forest community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wake Forest Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1944, 2 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 64th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 58. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
John was 58. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
John was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 11.4% of these deaths in NC, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Wake Forest Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wake Forest Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Wake Forest Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
