Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Sgt Taylor you shall always be honored and never forgotten.

Loran A DeHonney Sr
Former Pittsburgh Police Department

January 29, 2024

Rest in peace Sergeant Taylor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2021

Rest in peace and always know that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 22, 2020

Sgt. Taylor,
On today, the 25th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Pittsburgh. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 22, 2020

Rip was one of my best friends and I still miss him today. He was one of the greatest persons I've ever known. I hope to see you again some day buddy!!

John Ruscella, no rank
Na

March 27, 2018

"When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.”

Euripides

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

December 12, 2015

True hero rest in peace my brother!

Pittsburgh City Policer Officer Retired
Pittsburgh City Police

November 13, 2015

Rest in peace God bless you and your family!

P.o retired Vicky Mouser
Pittsburgh City Police

November 12, 2015

It has been 20 years and I still remember the day my father told me of your passing with tears in his eyes. He lost a very good friend and Brother. You shall not be forgotten.

FF/EMT/911 Dispatcher Kevin Yenchik
Armstrong County Dept. of Public Saftey

September 22, 2015

TO A GOOD FRIEND AND BROTHER I MISS YOU VERY MUCH.

SGT.GUNZIE L.WILKERSON,JR
OHIO MILITARY RESERVES.

June 7, 2015

RIP Brother. May you be with GOD and may GOD be with your family.

Det. Russ Cain
Pittsburgh PD

March 12, 2015

Thank you for your dedicated service to others. You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 22, 2013

I knew Rip at Penn Hills High School. We were in chorus together and on the track team. He was my first black friend. In 1970, fights broke out among black and white students at school, and Rip pushed me in a closet to avoid the fighting. When I lived in the East End of Pittsburgh, I often saw Rip walking his beat. And when we has killed in 1995, I attended his funeral. Today, I am a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister and am preaching on Dr. King's speech. Rip has been in my memories all these years. His friendship helped me understand what it meant to be a black person in the 1970's. Hopefully, he made me understand that we are all children of God. May he R.I.P. with the glorius saints in light.

Rev. Doug Gebhard
Shallowford Presbyterian Church (USA)

August 24, 2013

"Rip" and I were in the academy together (BR-80-1). I remember the day he died and it saddens me even today.

Joseph J. Campisi, Lieutenant (Reired)
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

April 5, 2013

Even though Rip was my Cousin we were really more like brothers. I still think of you often and the summers in Pittsburgh we spent together and the good times we had in DC. I still think of you often and miss you tremendously. Rest in peace!

Ricky Missouri
Upper Marlboro, MD

Roderick Missouri
Cousin

October 7, 2012

I will always know you as RIP. I lived just a couple of houses up from you at 7125 Lemington Ave. I have a friend who lived in the downstairs apt who is a cop and still with the Pittsburgh Police Dept. You met him and he is still mourning your death. Me as a security guard and you as a Pittsburgh Police Officer we watched each others back while on duty at the Shakespeare shopping center in the east liberty section of Pittsburgh. I remember this like it was yesterday. You invited me into your crib so that we could discuss what it was like being a cop. I often seen you riding on your motor cycle. RIP, I'm still devastated behind your death. The gang member responsible for your death is still locked up, trust me, I looked him up in the PA Dept of Corrections. REST IN PEACE, RIP

Richard Covington
Neighbor/Friend

June 1, 2012

You have not been forgotten as true heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and close friends. Thank you for your dedication to others and to law enforcement.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 22, 2011

I miss you so very much!!! Not one single day, one single shift or one single moment goes by without you in my thoughts.
Your brother,
John

John T. Pryle EMT/Paramedic
Penn Hills Police Department

January 30, 2010

Thank you for your service Sarge. Your Wife and Children will be in my thoughts and prayers today, your 14 year EOW and always.

Rest easy Brother Taylor, you'll always be remembered.

Deputy and Firefighter
Southwest Florida

September 22, 2009

I miss you Rip.
Sue

Anonymous

September 22, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 14th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

In reading your memorial page, it read as if your daughter may have been with you when you were shot. I hope she did not have to witness your brutal murder. Your wife and children and other loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 22, 2009

Sgt. Taylor, you are not forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Detective M. Marks
Pittsburgh Police Department

June 22, 2009

Rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Det. L. Gauthney
Columbus (OH) Police dept.

June 18, 2009

The Motorcycle Officer
"unknown author"

It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.

They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...
They look so proud and noble, like Knights come from the past.

Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one...
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.

And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them
and young ones ask their parents, why the officers have mirrors for eyes.

They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.

Like officers of steel, on Silver Wings, they sparkle in the light...
then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.

Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.

Side by side, they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.

So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...
You see your reflection in his eyes; you know that you are safe.

For motor officers are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, Tx

April 8, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 24, 2008