Sheriff Tillman D. 'Til' Taylor, a 53-year-old veteran law enforcement officer, was tragically shot and killed during a jail break from the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton, Oregon, on July 25, 1920. Taylor had dedicated 18 years of his life to serving in the Umatilla Sheriff's Department, earning him a reputation as a fearless and respected figure in the community.
The incident occurred when five suspects, who were inmates at the Umatilla County Jail, managed to obtain a gun that had
been smuggled into the jail. Using this firearm, they executed a daring escape, during which Sheriff Taylor was fatally shot. The escape and subsequent murder sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an immediate and extensive manhunt.
The five suspects involved in the jail break and the murder of Sheriff Taylor were eventually apprehended by law enforcement. The investigation and subsequent trials led to severe punishments for the perpetrators. Two of the suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment, while the remaining three faced capital punishment. One of the suspects was executed by hanging in December 1920, and the other two were hung in July 1922.
The community of Pendleton and beyond was deeply affected by Sheriff Taylor's death. Governor Olcott of Oregon expressed his shock and sorrow, praising Taylor as a 'wonderful officer and man' who was 'fearless as a lion and at the same time possessing the gentleness of a child.' The governor had previously attempted to recruit Taylor as the head of the state penitentiary, a testament to Taylor's esteemed reputation in law enforcement.
The funeral services for Sheriff Taylor were attended by numerous dignitaries and members of the community. The services were conducted by Rev. Alfred Lockwood, with members of the Knights Templar serving as pallbearers. The body of Sheriff Taylor lay in state at the courthouse before the funeral, and his widow, Claire Moussu Taylor, was at his bedside when he died. The event was marked by widespread expressions of regret and sympathy for his family and friends.
The suspects, though not named in the available sources, were described as part of a group of inmates who had planned and executed the jail break. Their actions were met with swift and severe justice, reflecting the gravity of their crime and the community's outrage over the loss of a respected law enforcement officer. The detailed accounts of the incident highlight the significant impact of Sheriff Taylor's death on the community and the rigorous efforts of law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice.
