A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer is believed to have died while helping residents evacuate during a wildfire in Oklahoma, the agency confirmed over the weekend. Officer David Taylor, 38, of Scio, Oregon, was assisting people fleeing the fast-moving Railroad South Fire south of Oklahoma City on Saturday.
Taylor was going door-to-door to aid residents in evacuating alongside emergency crews. His last known communication with dispatch occurred while he was helping a family leave their home. Evidence recovered from a structure led officials to believe Taylor died during the evacuation effort.
"Everything we know about David's actions demonstrates extraordinary courage and selflessness," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik. "When people were in danger, David was there helping them get to safety. He remained committed to protecting others under the most dangerous circumstances. We mourn alongside his family, friends and colleagues, and we will never forget his service."
Taylor, who had served with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before joining the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, was also a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve. During his 20 years of naval service, Taylor completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti. He had previously served on active duty.
The Railroad South Fire was reported on Saturday in Comanche County, Oklahoma. All evacuation orders for affected residents have since been lifted. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered all American and Oklahoma flags on state property to be flown at half-staff from September 1 through September 4 in honor of Taylor. "Sarah and I are praying for his family, his fellow officers and everyone who was impacted by this tragedy," Stitt wrote on X. "His courage, selflessness and devotion to protecting others will never be forgotten."