Oregon Governor Orders Flags Lowered on October 17 in Honor of Fallen Federal Wildlife Officer David Taylor
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff on October 17, 2026, in honor of David Taylor, a federal wildlife officer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who died on August 29, 2026, while aiding with evacuation efforts for the Railroad South Fire near Indiahoma, Oklahoma, according to an October 14 press release from the Governor's Office issued pursuant to the United States Flag Code. Taylor was 38.
Taylor grew up in Scio, Oregon, and served as a volunteer firefighter with the Scio Rural Fire Protection District. He graduated from Scio High School in 2006 and later earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix in criminal administrative justice. He previously served on active duty in the U.S. Navy and continued his military service in the Navy Reserve while also serving as a federal wildlife officer; at the time of his death, he was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserve. He served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before joining Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
"Mr. Taylor's storied record of service and courage in the face of danger exemplifies the kind of person he was," Governor Kotek said. "He was unwavering in his commitment to community and nation, and on behalf of all Oregonians, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and colleagues."
Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on October 17, 2026, to coincide with Mr. Taylor's memorial service in Salem, the release said.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于塞勒姆的俄勒冈州议会大厦。ZehnKatzen／Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 3.0
