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U.S. wildlife officer dies while evacuating residents during wildfire

Officer David Taylor was a U.S. Navy veteran who served with the United States Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - Division of Refuge Law Enforcement

Taylor

Officer Down Memorial Page

COMANCHE COUNTY, Okla. — A U.S. wildlife officer died while he was working to evacuate residents from areas endangered by a wildfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Officer David Taylor served with the United States Department of the Interior - Fish and Wildlife Service - Division of Refuge Law Enforcement. He was working to evacuate residents from the Railroad South Fire when he died on Aug. 29.

His last known contact was assisting a family as they evacuated their home, according to the page. His body was later found inside a structure.

Taylor was a United States Navy veteran and had served as a wildlife officer at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. He is survived by his wife, son and parents.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com