Incident
Officer Taylor was shot and killed while he and other officers searched a home for a murder suspect. As he was searching the upstairs he was ambushed by the suspect from behind a door. The suspect shot Officer Taylor twice and then surrendered to other officers. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Officer Taylor had served with the agency for 6 years and was assigned to the Burglary Unit.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Police Officer Taylor gave the Grand Rapids Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grand Rapids Police Department has lost 15 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1986, 1 officer at Grand Rapids Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 2.
In 1986, 8 officers in MI were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 29. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Grand Rapids Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 41.5; the middle age was 33.5. Joseph had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 10.4 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. Joseph had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 29. 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. Joseph had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 12.5% of these deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department; December holds the most, 50%. Mondays: 12.5%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Mondays: 14.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 15 deaths at Grand Rapids Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Grand Rapids Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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George W. Powers
Aug 22, 1895
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Henry Slater
Sep 4, 1907
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Millard F. Davis
Aug 25, 1916
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Charles Irving DeYoung
Jun 7, 1920
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George David Geng
May 18, 1921
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Gerrit George Brandsma
Dec 7, 1921
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Samuel Slater, Jr.
Dec 9, 1921
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John Meiboom
Oct 10, 1925
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Francis Marion Gallup
May 13, 1946
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Stanley Van Tuinen
Dec 3, 1966
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Wayne Vonk
Jan 19, 1969
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Herman Reinhold Gloe
Dec 12, 1974
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Joseph Floyd Taylor
Nov 17, 1986
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Daniel Craig Duyst
May 30, 1994
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Robert Anthony Kozminski
Jul 8, 2007
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Grand Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.













