Lieutenant William J. Taylor
Mansfield Police Department
Ohio
End of Watch: Saturday, February 26, 1949

Biographical Info
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Friday, February 18, 1949
Weapon Used: Handgun; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Lieutenant Taylor was shot and mortally wounded by a gun-crazed war veteran. Lieutenant Taylor and two other officers responded to a report of a man shooting a gun in the air at 324 East 4th Street. When the officers arrived the man went into his bed room and refused to come out. When he finally agreed to come out he had a .22 cal. pistol in his hand. When Lieutenant Taylor grabbed the gun the suspect pulled away and shot the officer twice in the abdomen. One of the other officers returned fire killing the suspect. Lieutenant Taylor died from his wounds eight days later.

Lieutenant Taylor was a World War II veteran, having served as a boatswain's mate aboard an LSM in several Pacific invasions. He was survived by his wife and daughter.