Deputy Mark Taylor Honored at Funeral

By Jeff Raasch

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jul 29, 2009 at 11:42 AM CST

Story Updated: Jul 29, 2009 at 4:30 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Laughter was sprinkled within mourning as about 700 people gathered to remember the life of Linn County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Taylor Wednesday morning.

Scores of law enforcement officers joined with family and friends to fill the main floor at First Assembly of God Church in Cedar Rapids. Taylor died after suffering a heart attack and crashing his patrol car Friday night. He was 46.

Rev. Darran Whiting, the chaplain for the sheriff’s department, said “everyone seems to have a story about Mark, and by the way, Mark always had a story about you, too.”

Reserve Deputy Gordan Grabau, who usually rode with Taylor but wasn’t Friday night, remembered Taylor as a close friend, mentor and confidant.

Grabau and Deputy Jeff Parks were first to arrive at Taylor’s accident on County Home Road and attempted CPR before Taylor was flown to St. Luke’s Hospital.

“We are a little less because of your passing,” said Grabau, at times fighting back tears. “I will miss you brother. You are now the lone wolf, watching over us all.”

About 50 potted flowers and plants lined the front of the sanctuary. Nearby, a United States flag was draped over Taylor’s casket.

Linn County Deputies sat, side-by-side, in their tan uniforms. Other officers, including some from as far away as Ankeny, also attended.

Whiting reminded the crowd that it was OK to laugh, too, and then shared stories about Taylor that made it tough not to.

Chuckles filled the room as Whiting shared recollections of wagers Taylor made over politics and his lack of dance moves.

Taylor, a deputy for 23 years from Toddville, was a certified accident reconstructionist. Whiting said Taylor was first taught by another deputy, using matchbox cars on the hood of his squad car.

Whiting shared a poem Taylor wrote in high school called “Champions,” and left the crowd with a reminder.

“Life is short,” Whiting said. “Let me ask you a question. Are you ready? If Mark were here today, he would say, ‘Prepare for that day.’”

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