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DRAPER — Brent Taylor, North Ogden mayor and a major in Utah's Army National Guard, was "the personification of love of God, family and country," Gov. Gary Herbert said Sunday, one day after news spread of Taylor's killing during an insider attack in Afghanistan.
"This is a sad day for Utah, for America," Herbert said at Sunday's news conference.
Taylor's remains are expected to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday at 9:45 p.m., said Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton. Funeral arrangements are still being made.
Taylor's service was "a testament to the character of this man and motivation to preserve the freedom you and I enjoy as Americans," Burton said, calling Taylor "one of our finest soldiers."
Taylor, 39, took an unprecedented one-year leave of absence from his post as mayor for his deployment to Afghanistan in January. But months away from his return, he was killed during an "apparent insider attack" Saturday in Kabul, Burton said.
He leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and seven children ranging in age from 13 years to 11 months.
Taylor's mission, as part of his work with the Special Operations Joint Task Force in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel, was to help train and "build capacity" in Afghan forces. He was killed and another U.S. soldier was wounded in the insider attack at the Kabul Military Training Center, where a member of the Afghan security forces opened fire on them, Burton said.
The attacker was then killed "on the spot" by Afghan forces, Burton said.
Taylor was a "bridge builder" and "a man who made friends and loved people," making the attack especially "bitter" for the Utah National Guard, Burton said.
"I do believe that Maj. Taylor felt he was among friends, with people he was working with," Burton said, but he noted the area is still considered a "combat zone" where the Taliban obviously is still active.
Burton characterized Taylor's death as a "betrayal," or an instance of "maybe misplaced trust."
"It's bitter," Burton said. "He was with folks he was helping and training … That's what's so, ultimately, painful about this."
Burton noted the attack is still under investigation, though he hopes it will conclude soon.
"He did love the people of Afghanistan — that's what's difficult about this whole thing," Herbert said. "He was there to help them and did so. And that's the mark of a leader. There's a reason he was elected mayor of North Ogden. All his life he demonstrated leadership and a willingness to help."
A GoFundMe page* to support Taylor's family had already raised more than $170,000 as of Sunday evening. The family was also accepting donations through the Taylor Family Charitable Account at America First Credit Union.
Taylor's family released a statement later Sunday through Jennie Taylor's sister, Kristy Pack, expressing appreciation "for the outpouring of love and support during this unspeakably difficult time."
"Brent's life impacted so many of us in remarkable ways, and we are grateful for the expressions of gratitude and sympathy that we have received," Pack said. "We are especially grateful for the love and support shown to Brent's grieving children.
"As one of many, many military families to give the ultimate sacrifice, we also want to express our love for this great nation and the pride that we feel knowing that Brent gave his life in service to his country — the country he and Jennie both love so much," the statement continued. "Even in this time of heartbreak, we feel the closeness of our eternal Father in heaven and the comfort of knowing that the Lord has welcomed home one of his most beloved sons."
Pack, standing outside of Taylor's home in North Ogden, added that her sister wanted to express that while "we are overwhelmed with heartache, there is no regret." She noted her sister "knew what she was signing up for" as a wife to a military man.
"When a man like Brent has the desire to bring freedom to others and to serve his country, and he gives his life to that cause, in our view there's not a whole lot of room for anger," Pack said. "We are so proud of the way he lived — proud of the way he gave his life."
Taylor was remembered Saturday by Utah leaders as a devoted patriot and family man, well respected for his political contributions and military service. Close friend and former Pleasant View Mayor, Toby Mileski, said Taylor had recently pondered the possibility of running for Utah governor.
One of six brothers to join the National Guard, Taylor was serving in his fourth deployment at the time of his death.
When a man like Brent has the desire to bring freedom to others and to serve his country, and he gives his life to that cause, in our view there's not a whole lot of room for anger. We are so proud of the way he lived — proud of the way he gave his life.
–Kristy Pack, Brent Taylor's sister-in-law
Taylor was deployed twice to Iraq in 2006 and again in 2007 to support operation Iraqi freedom, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal. From 2007 to 2008, Taylor again deployed to Iraq in support of the same operation, where he served as a platoon leader and a senior intelligence adviser.
Taylor joined the military in 2003 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corp in 2006 as a graduate from Brigham Young University's Reserve Officer Training Corp, according to information provided by the Utah National Guard.
Taylor held a bachelor degree in political science from Brigham Young University, as well as a master's degree in public administration from the University of Utah, where he was also a Ph.D. candidate in international relations.
Throughout his time in the military, Taylor served in numerous positions, including platoon leader, battalion plans officer, vulnerability assistance officer, explosive ordnance disposal officer, mobile training team chief, selective service officer, and recruit sustainment program coordinator.
Burton said Taylor was "just somebody driven to do good," whether it was in politics, military or in his community in general — "wherever he could make a difference."
"He put a lot of sunshine wherever you went," Burton said. "He was that kind of guy."
Click the video below to hear from Taylor's family:
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