Funeral Held For Slain Johnson County Deputy
JOSHUA (CBSDFW.COM/KRLD) - The auditorium at Joshua High School was packed Wednesday morning for the funeral of a Johnson County Sheriff's deputy killed in the line of duty.
Deputy Clifton Taylor died after being shot during a domestic disturbance call near Venus on Saturday. The gunman was shot and killed by deputies.
Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford identified the dead suspect as Wesley Davis, an Oklahoma man whose wife said the suspect had threatened her, her sister and another person. During Wednesday's funeral, Sheriff Alford told mourners that those threatened by the gunman have offered thanks for Taylor's sacrifice.
"The shooter's family told me to tell Deputy Taylor's family that they were sorry for what happened," he said. Deputy Taylor didn't need to die, that was their words. But again, they had no doubt without this hero's actions that they wouldn't be here today."
Deputy Taylor, who was a three-and-a-half year veteran of the force, was engaged and had worked three jobs to save up enough money to get married.
Sheriff Alford told mourners he has no doubt what happened this past Sunday morning. "Having worked with and attended church with Deputy Clifton Taylor there's no doubt in my mind that on Easter morning he woke up in the presence of God Almighty."
As one man prayed during the funeral he said, "Our Heavenly Father thank you for a person who knows how to protect and serve with all humility."
Hundreds of family, friends and fellow law officers sat before the flag draped casket of the 31-year-old deputy. Those left to continue to serve were also thought of. "God I pray for the folks in the law enforcement community that have lost a friend and a comrade."
Graveside services for Deputy Taylor were private. Deputy Taylor is survived by his parents, fiancee, a brother and a sister.
His death marks the first time since 1971 that an officer in Johnson County died in the line of duty.
