09/01/2026
Ducks Unlimited mourns the tragic passing of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service federal wildlife officer David Taylor, who rushed into a burning structure to help residents evacuate from the Railroad South Fire.
Officer Taylor’s final moments were spent going door to door alongside emergency personnel helping residents get to safety. Putting himself in danger to help others escape it.
His actions were selfless and courageous, and his sacrifice was heroic. We offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fellow officers.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is mourning federal wildlife officer David Taylor, 38 of Scio, Oregon, who is believed to have died while helping evacuate residents threatened by the Railroad South Fire.
Officer Taylor was going door to door alongside local emergency crews helping families get to safety. His last contact with dispatch came while he was helping a family evacuate their home. Evidence recovered from a structure where he was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort. Formal identification remains pending with the medical examiner.
Everything we know about David's actions reflects extraordinary courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.
Our hearts are with his family, friends, fellow officers and all who served alongside him. We will never forget his service.
