Final Salute

A 38-year-old wildlife officer and veteran from Oregon died while helping residents evacuate from a wildfire on Aug. 29 in Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

David Taylor, 38, of Scio, is believed to have died while going door-to-door to help residents threatened by the fast-moving Railroad South Fire.

It was unclear from a news release exactly what happened, but federal officials said Taylor’s last contact with dispatch came as he was “assisting a family to leave their home.”

“Evidence recovered from a structure where Taylor was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort,” the release said.

The fast-moving fire, first reported on Aug. 29, burned west of Lawton, Oklahoma. It destroyed at least five structures, injured at least three others and sparked widespread evacuations, local news reported. The fire was brought under control at 500 acres.

A formal identification remains pending with the medical examiner, officials said.

“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 served in the U.S. Navy and deployed five times, including once to Iraq and four times to Djibouti, Africa. At the time of his death, he worked for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma but was also a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of the Interior are coordinating support for Taylor’s family, coworkers and others affected by his death, officials said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Taylor listed his hometown as Scio.