Along route, Taylor procession saluted
(Editor’s note: Derrick “Bo” Taylor, who saved five people at the Las Vegas shooting, was transported from Las Vegas to Burbank, where a procession followed his body.)
Lieutenant Derrick “Bo” Taylor was murdered by unspeakable evil in the Las Vegas shooting. This is a profound loss to his family, co-workers and all of us at CDCR.
On Saturday morning, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department honor guard draped Bo’s casket with the American flag. Then, a law enforcement procession drove him and his sons to the Las Vegas airport for the short flight to California.
Law, fire, CDCR pay respects
Meanwhile, at the Burbank Airport, a CDCR contingent waited for the plane’s arrival.
They included staff from:
- The Office of Correctional Safety
- Sierra Conservation Center (SCC)
- California Men’s Colony (CMC)
- Conservation Camps
- CAL FIRE
- Los Angeles City Fire Department
- and others.
The honor guards from California State Prison-Los Angeles County and CMC stood at attention, as did all who came to the airport to pay their respects. They saluted Bo as he was gently moved from the airplane to the hearse.
An emotional Sgt. Todd Wienke, with California City Correctional Facility, stood on the tarmac.
Todd was at the fateful concert in Las Vegas and was shot shielding his girlfriend. After getting her to safety, Todd went back into harm’s way to assist others and was shot again. By the grace of God, he is recovering from his injuries and asked to be present for Taylor’s journey home.
Todd whispered a message to Bo’s sons, then they hugged. A bond was formed by those private words that defied the evil that shocked our nation, and brought two families together for Bo’s journey home.
Todd is a hero who represented our Department with distinction.
The procession heads to mortuary
The California Highway Patrol escorted CDCR vehicles, including those from Ventura fire camp, to Grover Beach.
Along the route, law enforcement and fire agencies parked on overpasses to salute Bo and his CDCR family. The procession, over 50 vehicles strong, wound its way to the mortuary where Bo will remain until he is laid to rest on Friday.
Citizens lined the road entering the mortuary to pay their respects. As the procession drove into the mortuary, Bo was greeted by hundreds of CDCR staff, his family and friends. The honor guards stood at attention once again as the casket was removed from the vehicle and slowly carried through the double single-file greeting line. Following the casket, Bo’s two sons experienced the outpouring of love from our Department. Bo was placed in a beautiful room full of flowers. Staff from SCC and the camps will stand guard 24/7 until he is laid to rest.
CDCR made me very proud on Saturday. The procession included law enforcement from CHP, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, along with the Office of Emergency Services. Together, this made the procession a heartwarming display of respect to Lieutenant Taylor as well as CDCR.
I know Bo’s sons and co-workers will never forget this journey.
Tribute by CDCR Secretary Scott Kernan
Read more tributes to staff and retirees who have passed away.
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