LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sergeant Deon L. Taylor posthumously
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the New
York Army National Guard

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our Nation's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace during
peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Sergeant Deon
L. Taylor posthumously upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the New York Army National Guard, to be celebrated at its
Black History Month Kick-Off celebration on Tuesday, February 1, 2011;
and
WHEREAS, This year's national theme is "An African American Tribute to
Our Troops and Their Families"; and
WHEREAS, This special celebration will include the name of Sergeant
Deon Taylor as a recipient of State recognition; this particular award
was established as one of the Empire State's highest honors for communi-
ty service; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Deon Taylor grew up in the Bronx, New York, dreaming
about making a difference in other people's lives; according to his
grandmother, Shirley Taylor, "he always wanted to be a cop, ever since
he was a little boy he always wanted to help."; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Deon Taylor went to high school in Lewiston, Maine,
where he was a notable athlete; after high school, he joined the New
York Army National Guard in 1997 and was based with the 27th Brigade
Combat Team in Syracuse; he later transferred to the 1st Battalion,
258th Field Artillery in the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, Sergeant Deon Taylor graduated from Old Westbury
College in Long Island with a degree in Sociology and Criminology; he
joined the New York Police Department in 2005 as a Transit Cop and a
year later, he was promoted to the Narcotics Division in Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Deon Taylor faced danger daily as an undercover
narcotics operative; Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said "Deon Taylor
made a difference in his short time on the force. He took the most
dangerous drugs off the streets, along with obtaining crucial evidence
that led to search warrants. He did it all while remaining modest,
polite and respectful of others"; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Deon Taylor was a dedicated family man who lived
upstate with his 8-year-old son, DaRue; he was truly a devoted hands-on
father; he also cared for his mother, Pamela; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Deon Taylor was a Fire-Direction Specialist, zeroing
in on terrorist targets when he was killed in western Afghanistan on
October 22, 2008 just as he was nearing the end of his deployment and
planning an August wedding to his fiancee, Caitlin Casey; Sergeant Deon
Taylor courageously served his city at home and his nation abroad; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved with great respect and rever-
ent esteem, and, on behalf of all of the citizens of the Empire State,
to renew its tribute to the men and women of New York State who so cour-
ageously served their State and Nation in defense of freedom and democ-
racy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sergeant Deon L. Taylor posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition by the New York Army National Guard;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sergeant Taylor's parents, Leon and Pamela.