Thomasville Police Department, North Carolina
End of Watch Saturday, April 16, 1921
Add to My HeroesJohn Edgar Taylor
Chief John Taylor was shot and killed by the town doctor the day after the doctor's barn burned down.
The doctor had an ongoing dispute with Chief Taylor and believed that the chief was responsible for the fire. The doctor located the chief in front of the NorthState building on Salem Street and shot him twice with a shotgun. The suspect then followed Chief Taylor into the store and shot him four more times with a handgun.
The suspect was sentenced to life in prison and was confined at the department for the criminally insane at the state prison in Raleigh. He escaped on August 29th, 1922.
In 1924 the suspect was located and arrested in California. Because of a legal technicality, the state of California refused to honor an extradition request from North Carolina and instead ordered him to be set free. In 1928 he died as the result of a mining accident in Winthrop, California.
Chief Taylor had served with the Thomasville Police Department for one year and had previously served with Winston-Salem Police Department. He was survived by his expectant wife.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 1 year
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Killed in 1928
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsYou are remembered today by a Durham native and the mother of a fallen officer. My son, Larry Lasater who was also born in Durham, died when shot on April 23, 2005 during a foot pursuit of two bank robbers while serving with the Pittsburg, California Police Department.
Chief, your sacrifice is not forgotten. Rest in Peace. Your memory is honored and revered 88 years after your death and will continue to be.
This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Chief Taylor gave to his community and the citizens of North Carolina, and the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on April 16, 1921.
Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater
April 17, 2009
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