Lost a good man.

**nsb22** · 07-26-09, 11:14 AM

My father worked with Mark for the better part of 20 years. He was a damn good guy.

Family Says Deputy in Crash Died from Heart Attack | KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Local News

Family Says Deputy in Crash Died from Heart Attack
By Justin Foss, Reporter
By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 24, 2009 at 8:24 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 25, 2009 at 10:10 PM CDT
LINN COUNTY - The family of Deputy Mark Taylor, 46, said he died from a heart attack.

Taylor rolled his patrol car on County Home Road at Alburnett Road on Friday night. When rescuers arrived they found a Linn County Sheriff's Department patrol car on its top and on fire. Taylor was removed from the vehicle and flown to St. Luke's Hospital where he later died.

The sheriff's office said Taylor was not operating with emergency lights on and was not responding to a service call. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

Taylor's father is Representative Dick Taylor, a democrat from Cedar Rapids. He said he was told that his son was working on a foreclosure case where he had to deliever papers to a homeowner.

He was working with another employee of the Sheriff's Department, and that employee was in another car and came upon the crash. Dick said that employee was one of Mark's best friends.

Dick says Mark wasn't married and didn't have any kids. But, he said he did have a lot of friends.

He said his son served the public all the way until the end. He started his 23-year career with the Linn County Sheriff's department the day he graduated from Coe College. Most recently, he earned a masters degree and worked as an accident reconstruction expert.

Dick said he and Mark were supposed to be working on their cabin near Delhi this weekend.

"We talked everyday on the phone, and we consoled each other on stuff all the time," said Dick Taylor.

Dick said his son loved his job, and enjoyed going to work.

Ironically, 13-years ago this week, Mark rolled his squad car after a chase and ended up going to the same hospital as he did Friday. That time though he only had minor injuries.

His father said don't be fooled by the crashes, Mark was the best driver he knew.

"I'm thankful for the 46 years we had," said Dick Taylor.

The Sheriff's department appreciates the 23 years they had.

Sheriff Brian Gardner told TV9, "It's especially difficult right now for those deputies who responded to the call, because we all served with Mark and he served with us for so long."

A public servant to the end, Dick said they donated his son's organs. He said its what Mark would have wanted to do.

Funeral arrangements are still being planned, but Dick said the Sheriff's Department told him they want to make it a formal event.

**Jenna** · 07-26-09, 11:21 AM

I'm very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.

**sgtbear111** · 07-26-09, 11:24 AM

Fair Winds and Following Seas.

**Second Chance** · 07-26-09, 02:15 PM

So sorry to hear that......may he R.I.P.

**CTR man** · 07-26-09, 08:07 PM

My condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen. May Dep. Taylor rest in peace.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 07-26-09, 08:08 PM

My condolences, May he Rest in Peace.

**cwtlady** · 07-27-09, 06:52 AM

My condolences to you and the family and friends of Deputy Taylor.

**kcnuke** · 07-27-09, 07:17 AM

The funeral will be this wednesday the 29th. I am making plans to attend.

**Wolven** · 07-27-09, 08:18 AM

RIP

**Pudge** · 07-27-09, 08:46 AM

Rest easy brother

**nsb22** · 07-27-09, 12:25 PM

KC, I'll bring your mourning band to work tomorrow.

**kcnuke** · 07-27-09, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by nsb22

KC, I'll bring your mourning band to work tomorrow.

I have one, however if you have an extra, it wouldn't hurt to bring one in case I can't find mine. Thanks nsb. I'm going to see if the Sgt or anybody is bringing a squad up, maybe we could do a carpool. There's going to be a lot of folks there, he was well known in the community.