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A federal wildlife officer is believed to have died while helping evacuate residents threatened by a wildfire in Oklahoma, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said over the weekend.
Officials said David Taylor, 38, of Scio, Oregon, was helping people fleeing the fast-moving fire south of Oklahoma City on Saturday. He was going door-to-door to help residents alongside emergency crews.
His last contact with dispatch came while he was assisting a family in leaving their home, the agency said.
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“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.”
Evidence recovered from a structure led officials to believe Taylor died during the evacuation effort, authorities said.
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At the time of his death, Taylor was a senior chief petty officer in the Navy Reserve and previously served on active duty. During his 20 years of naval service, Taylor completed five deployments, including one to Iraq and four to Djibouti.
Taylor also served the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge and the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico before joining the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior were coordinating support for Taylor’s family and co-workers, the agency said.
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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered all American and Oklahoma flags on state property to be flown at half-staff Sept. 1 through Sept. 4 in honor of Taylor.
“Sarah and I are praying for his family, his fellow officers and everyone who was impacted by this tragedy,” he wrote on X. “His courage, selflessness and devotion to protecting others will never be forgotten.”
The Railroad South Fire in Comanche County, Oklahoma, was reported on Saturday. All evacuation orders for residents affected by the wildfire have been lifted.
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The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
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