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Samuel S. Taylor
Incident
Game Protector Samuel Taylor was shot and killed by game violators while attempting to arrest them for shooting songbirds along the Mohawk River east of Riverside Park. On the morning of Sunday, April 5, Game Protector Taylor joined forces with a Game Protector from Oneida to patrol along the banks of the Mohawk River to check for illegal duck hunting. While patrolling, they heard gunshots in the woods east of Riverside Park. The protectors observed several men shooting birds. One of the subjects was in possession of a shotgun, and the other was picking up dead birds. After following the violators for a time, the protectors finally stepped out in front of the party, instructing them to surrender and advising them that they were under arrest. The man carrying the shotgun fired, striking Game Protector Taylor in the chest and abdomen, and fled. Protector Taylor fell to the ground, wounded. The second subject fired two shots at the other protector, who drew his service revolver and returned fire but failed to hit the assailants. Protector Taylor was carried a half mile to the Oneida County Hospital, where despite heroic efforts to save him, Protector Taylor died from his wounds the following day. Protector Taylor's assailants were indicted but fled the area and were never apprehended and brought to justice. Protector Taylor had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his widowed mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector Taylor gave the New York State Environmental Conservation Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York State Environmental Conservation Police has lost 18 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 5 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 44th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 38. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Samuel was 38. 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. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 6.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Mondays: 15.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 22.2% of all 18 deaths at New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 75% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
New York State Environmental Conservation Police has 18 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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Samuel S. Taylor
Apr 6, 1914
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Frederick T. Schmidt Nov 10, 1919
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John H. Woodruff
Nov 27, 1919
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Harvey B. Cruikshank
Jun 8, 1926
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William T. Cramer
Sep 29, 1929
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Paul DuCuennois
Oct 16, 1932
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Charles William Gaffney
Nov 16, 1934
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Lawrence Kessler
Nov 26, 1935
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Clarence Joseph Webster
Nov 16, 1944
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Paul N. Campbell
Nov 8, 1958
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Benning W. De La Mater
Jun 24, 1961
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William F. Becker
Mar 11, 1981
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Thomas J. Graham, Jr.
Sep 21, 2013
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Paul C. Adam
Sep 8, 2015
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Stephen Lawrence Raymond
Apr 17, 2017
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Lawrence E. Cabana
Aug 6, 2022
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David J. McShane
Jan 23, 2024
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Ronald John Bosela
Feb 27, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from New York State Environmental Conservation Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
