National Night Out Holds Special Tribute to Fallen Officer Joe Taylor
On Tuesday, Aug. 1, millions of citizens, elected officials, city leadership, and law enforcement agencies across the country celebrated National Night Out (NNO).
Many neighborhoods throughout the city hosted family-friendly events to spread the spirit of community and raise awareness of crime prevention efforts. Grand Rapids Police, Fire Department, and City leadership visited many of these events throughout the evening.
This year, family members of slain officer Joseph Taylor attended this year's National Night Out event at Joe Taylor Park, located at 1031 Baxter St. SE in Grand Rapids. Officer Taylor was shot and killed while he and other officers searched a home for a murder suspect. As he was searching the upstairs he was ambushed by the suspect from behind a door. The suspect shot Officer Taylor twice and then surrendered to other officers. The suspect was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.Officer Taylor had served with the agency for 6 years and was assigned to the Burglary Unit. He was survived by his wife, parents, and three siblings. Joe Taylor's mother, and two sisters, brother and other family members are featured in the highlights photos. A special banner was hung in Taylor's memory vowing that Grand Rapids will never forget his service to this city.
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