On August 29, 2026, United States Fish and Wildlife Service Officer David Taylor, 38, died in the line of duty while going door to door evacuating Comanche County residents from the Railroad South Fire. His last contact with dispatch indicated that he was trying to help residents escape their home.
Officer Taylor was a Navy veteran and a Seabee, with deployments to Iraq and Djibouti. He was continuing his service as a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve.
Taylor served at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before joining Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
He is survived by his wife and three sons. Our prayers and condolences for his family both at home as well as with the United States Fish and Wildfire Service.
