Jefferson Taylor, Police Officer Killed by Lightening at Joplin Tornado Scene

From Police One.com:


SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Officer Jefferson “Jeff” Taylor of the Riverside (Mo.) Police Department, who was struck by lightning while aiding in relief efforts in the wake of the Joplin tornado, passed away at in Springfield (Mo.) today. Family members were at his side at St. John’s Hospital — where he had undergone successful skin graft surgery and was being treated for other complications related to injuries he suffered in that incident on Monday, May 23 — when he died. Taylor is the first officer in the history of Riverside Police Department to die in the line of duty.

From OfficerDown.com:

Master Patrolman Jeff Taylor succumbed to injuries sustained on May 23, 2011, while assisting with tornado disaster response efforts in Joplin, Missouri.

Patrolman Taylor had just returned to a command post on a department ATV to drop off another first responder when a bolt of lightning struck next to where he was standing. Other public safety officers on the scene immediately began CPR and stabilized him for transport to the hospital.

He was transferred to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he remained until succumbing to his injuries on June 3, 2011.

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Let me know if he is a member of your Taylor family. He is one of many who have given their lives in the service of others. May he rest in peace.

Lalia Wilson for the Taylor Surname Project

Jeff Taylor's Genetic and Paper Genealogical Discoveries

Hi,

Jeff Taylor is a member of the Taylor project.  He is part of family group 15.  Here is his story:

"Prior to submitting my DNA I was at a dead end. The only information regarding my most distant Taylor ancestor was found in the publication 'History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed. by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 693.'  [The picture below is a modern photo of the Nicholas County jail and jailer's residence, built from 1820-23.  This is one of the historical sites of Nicholas County.]

"...His father, Jacob Taylor, came to Kentucky from Ohio, and died in Harrison County in 1818, aged about thirty-five;..."


"Based on this information the only clue I had was that my 3g-grandfather Jacob Taylor was born about 1783, had moved to Kentucky from Ohio, and died in 1818 in Harrison County, Kentucky, "about" 35 years of age.


"My 67 marker test resulted in one match with a genetic distance of -3. I contacted Mark Edwards and he kindly provided me with the name of Clara Sesler Genther who had authored a book entitled, "Ancestors and descendants of Taylor and Hager families of Madison and Union Counties, Ohio ..." Upon contacting Mrs. Genther I learned she still had a few copies available and ordered a copy from her. Interestingly, on page 42 there was a single notation for Jacob Taylor which stated "6. Jacob - came to Ohio but returned to Kentucky?" Based on the ages of his brothers Jacob would have been born about 1780.

"Based on DNA and the paper trail it appears that DNA has helped me make a connection to my Taylor family based on two sentences about Jacob Taylor which were published 100 years apart; and, thanks to Mrs. Genther's research, helped me trace my Taylor ancestry to Christopher Taylor who died in 1644 near Skipton, Yorkshire, England."

[Wikipedia states: The small town of Skipton in North Yorkshire, England has been around as far back as 1085, is listed in the Domesday Book, and has roles in history during the English Civil War and as the site of a prisoner-of-war camp during both World War I and World War II.  During the English Civil War, a Royalist garrison was situated at Skipton Castle, under the command of Sir John Mallory. It was the last remaining Royalist stronghold in North England until its honourable surrender on 20 December 1645 after a three-year siege.  Lalia's note: Christopher Taylor died a year before the end of the English Civil War.]

Jeff Taylor