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NORTH OGDEN, Utah, Nov. 3, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Friends and colleagues are confirming the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor, who was deployed with the Utah National Guard in Afghanistan.
“This is unbelievably tragic,” Utah Representative Greg Hughes wrote on social media. “Mayor Brent Taylor was the only person I personally knew who was able to share his deployment on social media. His pictures and descriptions gave me a deeper understanding of our military’s service and sacrifice.”
North Ogden City Councilman Phillip D. Swanson confirmed the news.
“Major Brent Taylor was killed in Afghanistan this morning,” he said on a Facebook page. “A news conference will be held tomorrow morning. Please keep Jennie (Taylor’s wife) and his children in your prayers.”
The Utah National Guard has not officially named Taylor as the service member who was killed, but a spokeswoman confirmed it will make the announcement on Sunday.
Taylor, who has served with the Utah National Guard since 2013, was most recently deployed in January. Taylor served on the North Ogden City Council starting in 2009, and became mayor in 2013, according to his biography on the city website.
Taylor, a graduate of Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Utah, served 12 years as an officer in the United States Army National Guard, including seven years on active duty. He was the father of seven children.
Multiple sources have reported that one American service man was killed and a second wounded in what was characterized as an insider attack carried out by a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
First reports indicate Afghan Forces killed the attacker.
Both U.S. service members were evacuated to Bagram Airfield. The wounded soldier was reported to be in stable condition.
Utah Lt. Governor Spencer Cox posted the following regarding Taylor:
“I hate this. I’m struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his 7 sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today. This war has once again cost us the best blood of a generation. We must rally around his family. Thank you for your sacrifice my friend.”
Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement regarding the death of the Utah National Guard soldier killed in Afghanistan:
“I am heartbroken at the news that we lost one of our own today in Afghanistan and feel completely humbled by the service and the ultimate sacrifice offered by this brave and selfless soldier. The entire Herbert family mourns with this soldier’s family and we pray that their burdens may be lifted, and that the hearts of all Utahns will reach out to comfort them in their grief.”
The Utah National Guard released the following preliminary statement:
We are deeply saddened to announce the death of a Utah National Guard service member in an apparent insider attack in Kabul, Nov. 3, 2018.
“My heart breaks for the loss and sacrifice of our soldier, particularly for the family,” said Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general. “I wish them all the comfort and courage to face the difficult days ahead.”
“What we do for our country is very dangerous business, but it’s important to remember why we do it,” Burton said. “The threat is very real. Let no one forget the service and sacrifice of those brave men and women who defend our nation.”
Rest In Peace, Mayor Taylor. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, all of his family and friends, neighbors, colleagues, co-workers and other loved ones at, and throughout, this tragic and devastating time of their lives. May they all find the peace, comfort, privacy, help and the other things they will need for now and for a long time to come. God bless, comfort and guide you all in this difficult leg of your lives’ journies.