Jefferson taylor
Agency: Riverside Police Division, MO
Jefferson Taylor was born March 7, 1980 in Cameron, Missouri to Patricia (Steelman) Bestgen and Steve Taylor. Jeff graduated from Harrisonville High School in 1998 and attended Missouri Southern State University receiving his POST Certificate in 2001. He began his law enforcement career in Webb City, then served on Platte County Sheriff Department, before his current post with Riverside Department of Public Safety where he held the positions of Firefighter, SWAT, Master Patrol Officer, K9 Officer, and Field Training Officer. Jeff was nominated and awarded Officer of the Year from Riverside DPS in 2008. On August 7, 1999 Jeff married his college sweetheart Kelly Hawkins in St. James, Mo and they had two sons Caden and Cameron.
Patrolman Taylor enjoyed athletics. He loved to golf, coach his son’s soccer team, and play softball with the Riverside DPS. Neighbors, family, and friends all recall that Jeff was a dedicated and committed father. His life was full of love for his children and was full of dedication for the law enforcement he served. He passed as a hero to those ravaged by the Joplin tornado, lived as a hero to his home community, and continues to be a hero as an organ donor.
Master Patrolman Jeff Taylor succumbed to injuries sustained on May 23, 2011, while assisting with tornado disaster response efforts in Joplin, Missouri. Officer Taylor is the first officer in the history of Riverside Police Department to die in the line of duty, and the first emergency disaster responder to pass away as a result of the May 22 Joplin tornado. Taylor was part of Riverside’s 12-member contingent of police officers, firefighters and public works staff members who responded to the Joplin tornado disaster. Patrolman Taylor had just returned to a command post on a department ATV to drop off another first responder when a bolt of lightning struck next to where he was standing. Other public safety officers on the scene immediately began CPR and stabilized him for transport to the hospital. He was transferred to St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he remained until succumbing to his injuries on June 3, 2011.
Master Patrolman Jeff Taylor was a heroic man who died many miles away from home helping those ravaged by natural disaster. His life was one of a kind, and his ability as a father was unmatched.
Jeff was preceded in death by his sister, Jodi Lynn Gitthens; a niece, Trinity Faith Roberts; and a grandfather, Jefferson Steelman.
Survivors include his wife Kelly and sons, Caden and Cameron of Kansas City, Mo; parents, Steve and Rose Taylor of New Bloomfield, Mo.; mother, Patricia Bestgen of Osborn, Mo.; sister, Staci Roberts, of Overland Park, Kan.; two brothers, Zach and Nick Bestgen of Osborn, Mo.; grandparents, Gerald and Phyllis Taylor of Cameron, Mo., Ernest and Phyllis Denny of Maysville, MO, Betty Jean Jacobsen of Roeland Park, Kan.; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Reflections:
I was in the Academy with Jeff. He was always smiling and had a true love for law enforcement. His willingness to help others is what I remember the most. It is evident this carried on throughout his career, as he was helping all of us in Joplin with the tornado search and rescue effort. Jeff you will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace Brother.... We've Got The Watch Down Here....
Dep. Devin Marshall
Jasper County Sheriff's Office
I used to live 2 doors down from Officer Taylor. He was ALWAYS outside playing with his 2 young children. It was obvious he was a wonderful father. He also helped my wife more than once get her car out of a snow bank. God bless you Jeff. May God watch over your family.
Sgt. Matthew Young
Kansas City Missouri Police Department
References: