Though I haven’t lived in Snohomish County for over 20 years, news still finds its way to me, like the news of the passing of Snohomish County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Taylor.
I first met Sgt. Taylor in June of 1979 during the search for my father’s small plane that was missing. My younger brother and two family friends were also on the plane. After many weeks of searching the Cascades, little hope remained and many had given up the search. Sgt. Taylor was not one of those. He arranged to take the Snohomish County helicopter over to Lake Chelan to join an air and water search of the lake and surrounding area.
At the time I did not fully appreciate the significant amount of dedication it must have taken for him to lead a search so far from his jurisdiction. At the end of another very long and fruitless day, he shared dinner with a few of us who participated. Even though I was accompanied by family friends on that day, Sgt. Taylor is the only person I can recall specifically. After the meal he was approached by a TV reporter and agreed to an interview. While I do not remember what was said, I carry the lasting memory of a man of caring, dedication and character with me to this day.
After the wreckage of the plane and the remains of my family and friends were recovered, I spent a year or so with the Snohomish County Search and Rescue team until school and life took me away from the Northwest. I consider myself blessed to have had the opportunity to watch him in action. His energy and skills were impossible to match, and even as a fit 18-year-old it was hard to keep up when he was pushing for the extra mile.
I have often found myself reflecting on the lessons I learned by watching him in action. Somewhere along the way he became one of the few men I have met whom I hope to emulate. I felt compelled out of a sense of gratitude to add my own remembrance. I was honored to have known him and am the better for it. Please know that you have some prayers coming from Texas.
Pasadena, Texas
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