Northeast News
June 7, 2011

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – To honor Master Patrolman Jefferson “Jeff” Taylor, 31, of the Riverside Police Department, Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that both the U.S. flag and Missouri flag be flown at half-staff at all government buildings statewide on June 8.

Taylor traveled to Joplin May 23 with a 12-member contingent of police officers, firefighters and public works staff members from the City of Riverside to respond to the Joplin tornado disaster. While on duty in Joplin, Taylor was struck by lightning May 23 and died from his injuries June 3.

Taylor graduated from the Missouri Southern Law Enforcement Academy in May 2001 and began his career in law enforcement the same year with the Webb City Police Department.