Michael John Taylor

How they died

Deadly force

Taylor, recently charged with aggravated sex abuse of a child, tried to goad police into killing him during a 90-minute stand-off, investigators said. Officers had been on the phone with him while he hid in the barn at his West Haven house, trying to convince him not to kill himself. He allegedly approached officers, holding a gun. Officers had been told by a commander to use non-lethal force and fired bean-bag rounds at Taylor. But Deputy Curtis Ricks, who said he didn't know about that order, decided Taylor was too close to another officer and fired on him.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Michael John Taylor, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources