The U.S. service member who was killed in an apparent “insider attack” in Afghanistan on Saturday has been identified as Maj. Brent Taylor. The 39-year-old was a married father of seven children, a National Guard member, and the mayor of North Ogden, Utah.
“Devastating news,” wrote Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox on Facebook yesterday. “North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor was killed today while serving in Afghanistan.”
Tragic loss
Taylor took leave from his position as North Ogden mayor, an office he held since 2013, just before being deployed for the fourth time as an active member of the National Guard this past January. It is said that on the day of departure town residents “lined the streets to see him off.”
“Serving as the mayor of North Ogden city has been one of the greatest honors of my life and the highlight of my civilian professional career,” Taylor wrote on Facebook shortly after leaving. “Service is really what leadership is all about.”
At the time of Taylor’s deployment, Democratic state senator Jim Dabakis praised him in a Facebook post as a “deeply red and a very conservative Republican–that I would vote for in a heartbeat.”
Insider Attack
Taylor was tasked with training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion. The region is a particularly dangerous place for American military personnel due to the high number of “insider” or “green-on-blue” attacks — ones in which Afghan troops or security forces attack a coalition partner.
It was such an attack — the fifth of its kind in the past four months — that appears to have claimed Taylor’s life and injured another in Kabul on Saturday.
According to reports, Afghan forces responded by immediately killing the attacker, who is believed to have been a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The incident is currently under investigation.
Nation mourns a hero
“Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend,” wrote Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) on Twitter. “News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered.”
Hatch on the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor:
“Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered.” pic.twitter.com/UHHbhTciYo
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) November 3, 2018
Fellow Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), in a Facebook post, referred to Taylor as “the definition of the term ‘public servant.'” “In the coming days, Utahns who never had the privilege of meeting Brent will learn what kind of man North Ogden and the Taylor family have lost, and will join them in grieving his tragic loss,” Lee wrote.
Utah governor Gary Herbert released a formal statement, praising Taylor as a “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,” he added.
Herbert and Major General Jefferson S. Burton of the Utah National Guard are expected to hold a press conference Sunday at 12 pm local time.
Taylor is survived by his seven children, ranging in age from infant to 12, and his wife Jennie. A GoFundMe page has been established for their support.
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