Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

My Dearest Calvin,
It's Thanksgiving again (the second one without you) and I just wanted you to know how thankful I am that I was able to spend 10 years of my life with you. You are in our thoughts today as always.
Love you & miss you,
Denise

Calvin - I'll be there with you one day!

Life often brings us raging storms
and troubling clouds of gray.
Too soon we find ourselves off-course
and searching for the way.
But see the lighthouse, strong and tall,
That shines as heaven's gift.
A beacon searching for those lost,
Discouraged and adrift.
In gloomy darkness it still glows,
a ray of hope for all.
And if we'll listen through the squalls,
We'll hear him softly call.
Yes, we are merely voyagers,
Upon life's churning sea.
And through the mist we see his light,
It beckons you and me.

You'll always be in my heart,
Denise

The following was read at the North Carolina Justice Academy On October 25th 2002 at the Friday morning flag ceremony. This is where cadets in the Police Academy Pay tribute to a NC fallen Officer!


Good morning,

I am Cadet Johnnie Wheless and I am sponsored by the Chapel Hill Police Department. Today we will pay tribute to Trooper Calvin E. Taylor of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Trooper Taylor was killed on October 3, 2001 when his patrol vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer while on the shoulder of I-40 in Haywood County. He was parked on the shoulder along with two other vehicles when the incident occurred. The truck was traveling 15-mph over the posted speed limit. An occupant of one of the other vehicles was also killed. The driver of the truck was sentenced to community service for reckless endangerment.

Trooper Taylor had been with the agency for 20 years and is survived by his parents, brother, and two sisters. One basic fundamental of police work is realizing that officers put their lives on the line for the public everyday. Law enforcement officers continue to do their jobs knowing that when they leave one morning for work, there is a possibility that they may not return. People like Trooper Taylor can remind us that we shouldn't take our lives for granted and that everyday should be lived to the fullest.

North Carolina Police Corps
North Carolina Justice Academy

My Dearest Calvin,
It has been a year since you were killed on the one road that you hated working on - I-40. The one thing that has helped me through this is knowing that it has also been a year since you entered God's kingdom. You must have a wonderful view up there...much better than the one we shared on Cadillac Mountain a little over 9 years ago. This has been a horrible year for me and doesn't seem to be getting better in some ways. I thank God for my family & true friends who have been there for me (since you can't be anymore). In a way it doesn't seem like it has been an entire year since I last heard your precious voice. But in other ways, it seems like it has been forever. I want to thank you again for sharing so many wonderful years/moments with me and for continuing to love me & my family. You know that you will always be a part of them also. You taught me so many things about life and unfortunately the last thing was how short life can be. I look forward to the day that I can see you again but until then, rest in peace my dear. Like we said the night before you were killed, I still love you. I was blessed to have been loved by you & to have been your wife.
You're always in my heart,
Denise

Denise

Calvin,
On Saturday 9-7-02 the Masons held a toy run in honor/memory of you...the one that you suggested the Masons be involved with. Little did you know when you talked about it that it would be named after you because you had gone to heaven before us. They are calling it the Calvin E. Taylor Memorial Toy Ride for Kids. I wasn't able to be there to see any of it because I'm working graveyard shift but Mom & I sent toys. From what I understand you would have been proud, there were several hundred motorcyclists that rode. I got one of the t-shirts that they were selling. How many times did we get t-shirts from the places that we went to together? I so wish I could trade my newest t-shirt in to have you back in person. This last year has been horrible without you in my life at all and I still just start crying many times when I think about the many things I miss. But the one thing that helps me smile is remembering all the great times we had over the past 10 years and knowing that you are in heaven with our Lord now..watching over us.
Love you sweetie,
Denise

Denise

Calvin,
The week after you were killed, I left a card at the mausoleum for you...it read:

Nothing Will Change My Love For You

Leaves may change from green to gold,
the sky from blue to gray,
A summer's afternoon becomes
a sparkling winter day,
People change, and places change,
and times keep changing,too,
But one thing always stays the same...
the love I feel for you.

Thinking of you today as every day. Miss you so badly.
Love,
Denise

Telecommunicator
NC Highway Patrol

It is sad to see someone pass away like this, but ofcs have a special place on all other ofcs hearts...The wall of blue stands tall for all fallen Ofcs.......:(

Ofc. Gibson
Ofc. in PA

My Dear Calvin,
Today makes 10 months since you were killed and I miss you just as much now as the first week without you. Even though time goes on & things change, my love for you will always be in my heart. With each day that passes, there are reminders of you everywhere. I'm so lucky that God let us spend 10 years of our lives together...I wouldn't trade it for anything in this world. Thanks for the things you taught me, the memories we made and most of all, the love you gave me. If only...............
Your wife for 8 years,
Denise

Telecommunicator
NC Highway Patrol

Denise,

I got your message you left for Joey and I. Thanks for always keeping us in your thoughts. I hate that I didn't get to meet up with you at Police Week Anyway, I am living in Myrtle Beach now and life is pretty good. I hope everything is going well for you in NC. Thanks for always remembering Joey and I it means alot. I think of Calvin often and hope you are doing well. Please take care of yourself and know you are in my prayers.

Your Friend,
Dana

Dana Perot
Survivor Of Deputy Joseph Rodgers (Fiance')

Calvin,
Hey Sweetie! Why did God have to take you when he did? I know you were willing to go to heaven at any time but why did it have to be so soon? My God, I hope you can look in my heart and tell how much I miss you. Now I know why I was so depressed from Sept. 2000 through Sept. 2001, it was because I wanted to be back home with you. Of course you knew that when you died because we talked about it the night before God took you to heaven. I just so wish we would have had more time together to get things back together with us. I hurt more and more each day it seems. I'm moving on now but a large part of my heart will always be with you. If I could have just one wish come true, I know what that would be. Some days it's hard to keep going but I know you would encourage me to not let it get me down. So many people knew you and cared about you but how many of them knew your favorite color, your favorite coffee cup, what side of the bed you preferred to sleep on, what kind of toothpaste you liked and I could go on and on about your favorite things and preferences. But that will be some of the things that I will keep just between you and me. I am so thankful to have been able to spend those years of my life with you and would do it all over again if I could....just this time, things would end up so differently. Thanks for loving me like you did...even through everything...until God called you home on
October 3, 2001.

Loving you forever,
Denise

P.S. Daddy is doing much better but your death has been so difficult for him. He couldn't have hurt any more if he would have lost one of his own children. My family loved you just as much on October 3, 2001 as they did on Sept. 25, 1993. Thanks for loving them back.

Telecommunicator
NC Highway Patrol

rest in peace blue angel

S. Yates

As I sit here today reading about Master Trooper Calvin Taylor, it is with great sadness that we lost one of the best Troopers in the state of NC. I am a 26yr veteran with the Sheriff Dept and I had a brother retire from The Tennessee Highway Patrol who also patrolled I-40 in and around Cookeville, Tennessee for 30yrs. To the family of Trooper Taylor I would like to say I am so sorry for your loss. Denise hold your head high and thanks for sharing your stories of Trooper Taylor with all of us. Trooper Taylor your watch is over on this earth but not in heaven, sitting next to God is a goal all of us will try to accomplish. Rest my brother and one day I hope to meet you and we can spend all eternity with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Lieutenant Danny N. Holmes
Putnam County Sherff Department Cookeville, Tn.

Calvin,
I was able to attend Police Week in honor of you & I'm so glad I went. It was nice to be around other survivors who didn't treat me as if we never shared almost 10 years of our lives together. You would have enjoyed Police Week so much.....I'm sorry you were only there in name & spirit. I still can't get over seeing your name written on stone walls. I know one must move on after tragic events like this (and I have begun to) but I still wish we would have had chance to work on the things we talked about on October 1 & October 2. But you & I know what those things were & no one else matters at this point. There are so many people who seem to think I've done everything wrong, but until they live in my shoes, they should hold their tongues. That's one think I so admired about you, how you didn't judge people about the things they did (right or wrong). You received a very appropriate honor by having your name placed on that wall with all the other officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, but I still would rather have you back here. Some people have said that you died doing what you liked best but if they knew you like I did, they would know if that were the case, you would have died with a fishing pole in your hand! I haven't been able to see them but I hope you are looking down from heaven at all the flowers we planted at the house. I know they are much prettier than anything that could be left at your tomb. I'll have another bed of irises one day in memory of you but it won't be the same since you won't be there to plant them for me! You'll always be in my heart.
Love always,
Denise

TC Denise L. Taylor
NCHP

IN LOVING REMEMBERANCE OF YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

MASTER TROOPER CALVIN E. TAYLOR

5-4-60 KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY 10-3-01

ON OCTOBER 3RD, A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN DAY
A NORTH CAROLINA STATE TROOPER
WAS KEEPING US SAFE PATROLLING THE HIGHWAY

HE WAS ON I 40 EAST OF EXIT 27
WHEN THE ANGELS CAME DOWN
AND TOOK HIM THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN

WE MISS HIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND TWINKLING EYES
AND OUR LIVES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
OH HOW WE WISH WE COULD HAVE SAID OUR GOOD-BYES

WE BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD
THAT ONE DAY WE WILL ALL JOIN HIM THERE
WHERE HE IS PATROLLING THE STREETS OF GOLD

TO THE GREATEST MAN, THAT HAS EVER WORE THE UNIFORM OF GRAY
WITH HEAVY HEARTS, AND EYES FILLED WITH TEARS
TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR 42ND BIRTHDAY

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU, MOM, DAD, PAT, CHUCK, DORINE, AND FAMILY

CAPT. PR TAYLOR
MACON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Hey Sweetie Pie,
Today is your birthday & I so wish you were here so we could celebrate it together. I remember looking for your birthday card last year......I found you a neat bookmarker to go in it. I know that you are in heaven looking down at me knowing how much I miss you & the things that I've gone through. May 4 will never go by that I don't think about you & wish I was with you. I know time heals many things but I don't think I'll ever heal.....just learn to deal with the pain. There have been some things said about me leaving flowers at your tomb so I'll probably never take any more over there. I'll think of another way to honor you since some people don't want me to take any part in remembering you in that way. I'm so glad you were a much better person than they are.
My family misses you so much. Daddy has had a very difficult time & hasn't wanted to do some of the "outdoor" things he used to do because he knew you could never be there to share it with again (I guess). He'll never get over losing you.....Mallory, Annie & Alex talk about you in such sweet ways. Annie talks about you being in heaven w/the angels. You would be so proud of Mallory.she just went to her first prom & looked gorgeous! She had her hair all fixed up - it's never been fixed like that before. She sure looked different than the little girl who called you "Calvin Walvin"! Remember the tape she made for me after I had the surgery on my jaws? You & I laughed so much at it but thought it was so cute at the same time.
I've got a place of my own now but it's been hard putting things away & remembering us fixing up the house that we built. I've shed some tears remembering us deciding the perfect place to put everything. We had so much fun. My life will never be the same without you in it but I'm so thankful to have all the memories to keep in my heart to help me through it all. I was so lucky to have you ask me to be your wife......I would say "I do" all over again...if only we had the chance. Keep watching over me - like you always have.
Love you forever,
Denise

P.S. Remember how you & Darryl kidded each other about who was oldest? He'll always be the oldest now won't he? God Bless You!

Denise L. Taylor
NC Highway Patrol

My Dearest Calvin,
It has been six months today since you were killed by that incompetent truck driver. I miss you so badly and just want to hear your voice on my voicemail or hear you checking 10-41 again. Being separated was one thing but not ever being able to talk with you or hug you again is entirely different. You wouldn't believe how some people have acted since you died. I sit here at work so many times and think that any minute I'll hear you on the radio again....it just doesn't seem like you should be gone. I visit your tomb at least once a month. It's one of the quietest places I can go to be alone with my thoughts of you. I couldn't stop crying today as I drove to work thinking about what I was going through six months ago; not knowing for over an hour whether you were still alive or not. There are so many days that I wish I never had to come in this place and dispatch again but it pays the bills. It just seems so unfair that so many of the troopers are not even close to being as good a person as you were and they just keep going on. Why are the good people taken from us? The H.P. won't even let me go to the Police Memorial in D.C. without taking vacation. I didn't even ask them to pay for anything or let me have a car to drive & they still wouldn't let me have eight hours to be there. Some things never change do they? Just like how they wouldn't let you do any of the things you wanted to like accident reconstruction but they sure wanted you to train everyone that came through the county. You were "too old" they told you to be trained for accident reconstruction but one of the troopers they chose to spend over two weeks in Raleigh with the majors deciding how to redo H.P. forms. I know you wouldn't want me to be bitter about this stuff but it is so hard to...especially when you aren't here for me to talk to about it. You were always there for me..right up to when we talked the night before you died. It seems so wrong to go on without you but I know I can't bring you back. I pray to God everyday that you thought about me the day that you died & remembered me telling you the night before how much I still loved you. The only comfort I have is knowing that we both said "I love you" on Tuesday night and that you are sitting at the feet of our "Heavenly Father" without any cares, pains or worries. I can just see you there with Mr. Whiskers right now. I know you loved him as much as me. I'll be there to join you in heaven one day and until then, watch over me like you always did here on earth. I'll think about you every day for the rest of my life.
Love you forever,
Denise
(Sweetie Pie)

P.S. Mallory & I are going to take flowers to your tomb this week...they will have some of your favorite flowers in them.......irises. They are pretty but not near as lovely as the ones we planted together beside our home. May God bless you.

Denise Liverman Taylor

Calvin,
It has been 5 months ago today since you were taken from us. At least I know you are in a wonderful place. I heard a song the other day that made me think of what you would say to us...."If You Could See Me Now". Today in church the pianist played "The Lord's Prayer". The last time I heard that in person was on Sept. 25, 1993. What a special day that was for us....I'll never be as happy as I was that day! You looked so handsome when I walked down the isle of the chapel at Lake Junaluska. We had communion today at church also and I couldn't help but remember the time that we helped service communion at Long's Chapel. There are so many things that I wish I could do again with you. But I know......"If I could only see you now" I wouldn't ask you to come back.
Your only "Pie",
Denise

TC Denise Taylor
NCHP

I first met Calvin when he was dating my very dear friend Denise. It was not possible to meet him and not love him. Through the years he shared his home, his vacation cottage, his laughter, his stories, his scrapbooks, his time and his love with me. Calvin was a quiet, unassuming man, a man of great integrity. I will miss him; I will miss just knowing that I can't pick up the phone, dial a number and hear his voice. I know that he is in a better place, a wonderful place where he deserves to be. But, through my own selfishness, I wish he could have waited 40 or 50 more years to go there. Thanks for the laughs my friend!

Linda Ambrose
National Park Service

Calvin,
We shared 10 years of our lives together - about 4 of those years working together. I miss hearing your calm voice on the radio as well as your willingness to respond to any calls we had. You always under estimated your abilities and importance to people. You were so special to everyone who worked with you but especially to me. I miss having you in my personal life as well as my professional life.
I'll always love you,
Denise

TC Denise L. Taylor
NC Highway Patrol

I know alot of troopers in the state of N.C and they have truly lost a wonderful officer. To hear them speak of Trooper Taylor you can tell he was a great man. The state of N.C and the entire law enforcement family will miss him tremendously.

Dana Perot
Survivor (fiance') of Deputy Joseph Rodgers

This is such a tragedy. We were in Franklin NC over the Thanksgiving weekend. The entire community has been shaken by the passing of Trooper Taylor. We heard many stories from many different people regarding Trooper Taylor. He left a very large mark on the Western Carolina community. He seemed to a great man and law enforcement officer.

My thoughts and prayers to the loved ones he left behind.

Tiffany Morgan
Wife, Bo Morgan, Versailles PD, Versailles KY

What is there to say about Trooper Taylor, he was a good man, a great person to be around and was always making jokes, I had the pleasure of working alot of wrecks with Calvin while I was a vol fireman and there was never a dull moment with him, also we had the pleasure of him helping out with a class we were taken in BLET at the time, he took time out of his busy night to stop by and take each of us and go through all the equipment in his patrol car, it takes someone dedicated to the job and people to do stuff like that, and Calvin never had a bad thing to say about it. At a time of loss we need to think back to the good times, and with Calvin there was a lot of them. We will all miss Calvin and we wish the best to his family, because we all know Calvin is setting with the Lord now and isn't suffering anymore.

Rookie Jeremy Smith
BLET 001

I have worked traffic here in England for 20 years. This touched home. Please convey condolences from myself and immediate colleagues to Calvin's family. All our brothers in the USA are in our thoughts right now. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with you, no matter what.

Constable 2121 Patrick Byrne
Cheshire Police, England

My Brother is a state trooper here in North Carolina and what happend to this trooper makes me feel like I Lost a brother. I am truly sorry to hear of this troopers death. To his family stay strong and may God guide you at this time of grief and sorrow. Take comfort in knowing he is gone but not forgotten and he made a diffence in the world.


Motor#7

Motor Officer M. Burns
Meck Co Sheriff Office

We have laid to rest a true hero. A special friend, and a man of honor. Always with a kind word, a funny joke, or a warm smile. I had the pleasure of working many scenes with Calvin. He was a wonderful trooper who served his state with great pride and integrity. Rest well Friend, we will miss you.

Telec Phillip Caldwell
Waynesville Police Department