The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joins the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the conservation community in mourning Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor, who is believed to have lost his life while assisting with evacuation efforts during the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County, Oklahoma.
Taylor, 38, was helping local emergency crews evacuate residents as the wildfire threatened the surrounding community. According to USFWS, his final actions were spent helping others reach safety. His sacrifice underscores the extraordinary risks federal wildlife officers can face in service to others and their communities.
Taylor devoted much of his life to public service. Before and during his career with USFWS, he served 20 years in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, completed five deployments, and attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. As a federal wildlife officer, he served at national wildlife refuges in New Mexico before joining Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Federal wildlife officers serve on the front lines of conserving our nation’s fish and wildlife resources, protecting public lands, and serving the communities connected to those places. Officer Taylor’s actions during the Railroad South Fire reflected that commitment to service in the most profound way.
CSF extends its deepest condolences to Officer Taylor’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire USFWS community. We are grateful for his lifetime of service and honor the courage and sacrifice he demonstrated while helping others.