Devin Terrell TAYLOR^[1]

1987 - 2012  (24 years)

• Name	Devin Terrell TAYLOR  [2, 3, 4, 5]
  Birth	23 Nov 1987	Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina
  Gender	Male
  HIST	I didn’t know where to put some of his obituary information. jkh Highway Patrol trooper shoots, kills man during traffic stop Braden Bunch / The Item Highway Patrol trooper shoots, kills man during traffic stop Emergency officials gather at the scene of a trooper-involved shooting on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 Saturday evening. BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com One man is dead after being shot by a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol during a traffic stop on Beckwood Road near US 521 Saturday evening. "We don't know what exactly transpired, but in any event, it looks like the trooper shot a male suspect," said Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office early Saturday evening at the scene. The shooting victim, yet to be identified by authorities, was driving a white Chevrolet sport utility vehicle when he was pulled over by the patrolman. The motorist parked his vehicle in the grass off Beckwood Road next to Bible Way Church, and was believed to be the only person in the vehicle at the time of the incident. It is also thought the motorist was still in his vehicle at the time of the shooting, however, authorities have yet to confirm this and have not yet said whether the deceased motorist possessed or brandished a weapon. Gardner said the highway patrolman, who has also yet to be identified, was alone in his patrol car at the time of the traffic stop. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office was initially expected to be handling the investigation. Later Saturday evening, however, that role was taken by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, with Gardner saying the sheriff's office will now be assisting SLED in a support capacity. SLED spokesman Kathryn Richardson confirmed the state agency had taken over the investigation at the request of highway patrol, but could not comment any more on the ongoing investigation. Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock said he was not able to release the name on the deceased as of late Saturday night. About 30 law enforcement officers from the sheriff's office, highway patrol, and the Sumter Police Department had initially responded to the scene before SLED took over the case. Officers had roped off Beckwood Road, which runs between Bible Way Church and First Church of God off of US 521 and much of the ground surrounding the road, including the front doors of the nearby church. Contact Braden Bunch at (803) 774-1201 Posted in Local news, News on Sunday, July 15, 2012 Authorities: Motorist's death result of struggle with trooper From Staff Reports Authorities have reported that the death of a motorist who was shot by a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer was the result of a physical struggle during a traffic stop on Saturday. Devin Terell Taylor, 24, of 12 Beard St., Dalzell, died after sustaining two gunshot wounds in an altercation with a patrolman that occurred during a routine traffic stop, according to Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock. According to a press release issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Taylor was pulled over for speeding on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 by Trooper 1st Class B.O. Stokes of the S.C. Highway Patrol at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Stokes reportedly performed several field sobriety tests on Taylor. When Stokes attempted to arrest the motorist for driving under the influence, Taylor became hostile and began resisting arrest. A struggle ensued in which the trooper attempted to deploy his taser. Unable to do so, the trooper drew his weapon and fired two shots at Taylor, shooting the man once in the chest and again in his torso. "There were definitely signs of a struggle," said Bullock. "There were several abrasions on the subject and the trooper." The incident is currently under investigation by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Stokes will remain on administrative duties during the investigation, the report said. Posted in Local news, News on Monday, July 16, 2012 Coroner: Driver above legal limit Photo provided Coroner: Driver above legal limit Before his death, Devin Taylor, 24, is seen here enjoying himself with family at his aunt's Vanessa Simmons' day care, Vanessa's Playland's, back-to-school event Saturday. BY COREY DAVIS cdavis@theitem.com A Dalzell man, who authorities say was shot by a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer after a physical struggle during a traffic stop on Saturday, had a blood-alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit, Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock said Monday. Bullock said an autopsy shows 24-year-old Devin Terell Taylor's blood alcohol content was .25. A blood-alcohol level of .08 is considered evidence of intoxication, according to state law. Also, "There were definitely signs of a struggle," Bullock said. "There were several abrasions on the subject and the trooper." Investigators said 25-year-old Trooper Brandon Stokes and Taylor, of 12 Beard Drive, got into a scuffle after the driver failed a field sobriety test and then resisted arrest was pulled over for speeding on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 at 6:30 p.m. When Stokes attempted to charge Taylor for driving under the influence, authorities said evidence at the became hostile and began resisting arrest. Reports indicate a struggle ensued during which the 5-foot 9-inch, 135 pound Stokes and the 6-foot-5, 205 pound Taylor. "The trooper attempted to retreat and use his department-issued Taser," according to a release from the state Department of Public Safety. "The trooper was still unable to subdue the suspect and discharged his firearm in fear of his life." Taylor was shot once in the chest and again in the torso, Bullock said. Stokes remains on administrative duties as the incident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said the case was turned over to SLED to maintain the integrity of the investigation. The sheriff's office and the Sumter Police Department, which assisted, were initially called to the scene. The family of Taylor said they don't know whether he had consumed alcohol before he was pulled over by the state trooper. Nonetheless, Perry Bradley, Taylor's older cousin, said the man was unarmed and thinks there could've been other ways to resolve the situation other than resorting to violence. "When a person is resisting arrest, it doesn't mean he was attacking the police," Bradley said. "We're not saying he was totally innocent, but police officers are trained to be able to handle themselves in these types of situations without using a gun. We don't see why there were any means of why he was shot and killed. Our family is hurting and we're going to really miss Devin." Before his death, Taylor had spent the day at his aunt's Vanessa Simmons' daycare, Vanessa's Playland on Brewington Road, according to Bradley. He said a back-to-school event had been held for the children with the Sumter Police Department and Sumter County Fire Department on hand. Devin and some other family members rode the kids around on motorcycles and four-wheelers. A cookout was held and school supplies like book bags and pencils were given to the kids, added Bradley. "We went from having a great family event to a family tragedy," Bradley said. "It is just unbelievable. How do you go from a traffic stop to a funeral? I have no idea." Tia Deschamp, Taylor's older sister, said the reports of Taylor being belligerent toward the trooper, was far from the person she knew all of her life. Deschamp described her little brother as being a fun-loving, jovial and hard-working family man, who wasn't the type to get into a skirmish. Deschamp said Taylor worked three jobs, was engaged to be married and loved his daughter, Demi Taylor, 3, and his fiancee's daughter Whitney Crawford, who turned 11 on Monday. "The family was in the process of planning Whitney's birthday party on Monday, and now we have to plan for a funeral," Bradley said. Reach Corey Davis at (803) 774-1295 Staff writer Rob Cottingham contributed to the report. Posted in Local news, News on Tuesday, July 17, 2012  [2, 3, 4, 5]
  HIST	I didn’t know where to put some of his obituary information. jkh Highway Patrol trooper shoots, kills man during traffic stop Braden Bunch / The Item Highway Patrol trooper shoots, kills man during traffic stop Emergency officials gather at the scene of a trooper-involved shooting on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 Saturday evening. BY BRADEN BUNCH bbunch@theitem.com One man is dead after being shot by a trooper with the South Carolina Highway Patrol during a traffic stop on Beckwood Road near US 521 Saturday evening. "We don't know what exactly transpired, but in any event, it looks like the trooper shot a male suspect," said Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office early Saturday evening at the scene. The shooting victim, yet to be identified by authorities, was driving a white Chevrolet sport utility vehicle when he was pulled over by the patrolman. The motorist parked his vehicle in the grass off Beckwood Road next to Bible Way Church, and was believed to be the only person in the vehicle at the time of the incident. It is also thought the motorist was still in his vehicle at the time of the shooting, however, authorities have yet to confirm this and have not yet said whether the deceased motorist possessed or brandished a weapon. Gardner said the highway patrolman, who has also yet to be identified, was alone in his patrol car at the time of the traffic stop. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office was initially expected to be handling the investigation. Later Saturday evening, however, that role was taken by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, with Gardner saying the sheriff's office will now be assisting SLED in a support capacity. SLED spokesman Kathryn Richardson confirmed the state agency had taken over the investigation at the request of highway patrol, but could not comment any more on the ongoing investigation. Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock said he was not able to release the name on the deceased as of late Saturday night. About 30 law enforcement officers from the sheriff's office, highway patrol, and the Sumter Police Department had initially responded to the scene before SLED took over the case. Officers had roped off Beckwood Road, which runs between Bible Way Church and First Church of God off of US 521 and much of the ground surrounding the road, including the front doors of the nearby church. Contact Braden Bunch at (803) 774-1201 Posted in Local news, News on Sunday, July 15, 2012 Authorities: Motorist's death result of struggle with trooper From Staff Reports Authorities have reported that the death of a motorist who was shot by a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer was the result of a physical struggle during a traffic stop on Saturday. Devin Terell Taylor, 24, of 12 Beard St., Dalzell, died after sustaining two gunshot wounds in an altercation with a patrolman that occurred during a routine traffic stop, according to Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock. According to a press release issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Taylor was pulled over for speeding on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 by Trooper 1st Class B.O. Stokes of the S.C. Highway Patrol at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Stokes reportedly performed several field sobriety tests on Taylor. When Stokes attempted to arrest the motorist for driving under the influence, Taylor became hostile and began resisting arrest. A struggle ensued in which the trooper attempted to deploy his taser. Unable to do so, the trooper drew his weapon and fired two shots at Taylor, shooting the man once in the chest and again in his torso. "There were definitely signs of a struggle," said Bullock. "There were several abrasions on the subject and the trooper." The incident is currently under investigation by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Stokes will remain on administrative duties during the investigation, the report said. Posted in Local news, News on Monday, July 16, 2012 Coroner: Driver above legal limit Photo provided Coroner: Driver above legal limit Before his death, Devin Taylor, 24, is seen here enjoying himself with family at his aunt's Vanessa Simmons' day care, Vanessa's Playland's, back-to-school event Saturday. BY COREY DAVIS cdavis@theitem.com A Dalzell man, who authorities say was shot by a South Carolina Highway Patrol officer after a physical struggle during a traffic stop on Saturday, had a blood-alcohol level more than three times above the legal limit, Sumter County Coroner Harvin Bullock said Monday. Bullock said an autopsy shows 24-year-old Devin Terell Taylor's blood alcohol content was .25. A blood-alcohol level of .08 is considered evidence of intoxication, according to state law. Also, "There were definitely signs of a struggle," Bullock said. "There were several abrasions on the subject and the trooper." Investigators said 25-year-old Trooper Brandon Stokes and Taylor, of 12 Beard Drive, got into a scuffle after the driver failed a field sobriety test and then resisted arrest was pulled over for speeding on Beckwood Road near U.S. 521 at 6:30 p.m. When Stokes attempted to charge Taylor for driving under the influence, authorities said evidence at the became hostile and began resisting arrest. Reports indicate a struggle ensued during which the 5-foot 9-inch, 135 pound Stokes and the 6-foot-5, 205 pound Taylor. "The trooper attempted to retreat and use his department-issued Taser," according to a release from the state Department of Public Safety. "The trooper was still unable to subdue the suspect and discharged his firearm in fear of his life." Taylor was shot once in the chest and again in the torso, Bullock said. Stokes remains on administrative duties as the incident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said the case was turned over to SLED to maintain the integrity of the investigation. The sheriff's office and the Sumter Police Department, which assisted, were initially called to the scene. The family of Taylor said they don't know whether he had consumed alcohol before he was pulled over by the state trooper. Nonetheless, Perry Bradley, Taylor's older cousin, said the man was unarmed and thinks there could've been other ways to resolve the situation other than resorting to violence. "When a person is resisting arrest, it doesn't mean he was attacking the police," Bradley said. "We're not saying he was totally innocent, but police officers are trained to be able to handle themselves in these types of situations without using a gun. We don't see why there were any means of why he was shot and killed. Our family is hurting and we're going to really miss Devin." Before his death, Taylor had spent the day at his aunt's Vanessa Simmons' daycare, Vanessa's Playland on Brewington Road, according to Bradley. He said a back-to-school event had been held for the children with the Sumter Police Department and Sumter County Fire Department on hand. Devin and some other family members rode the kids around on motorcycles and four-wheelers. A cookout was held and school supplies like book bags and pencils were given to the kids, added Bradley. "We went from having a great family event to a family tragedy," Bradley said. "It is just unbelievable. How do you go from a traffic stop to a funeral? I have no idea." Tia Deschamp, Taylor's older sister, said the reports of Taylor being belligerent toward the trooper, was far from the person she knew all of her life. Deschamp described her little brother as being a fun-loving, jovial and hard-working family man, who wasn't the type to get into a skirmish. Deschamp said Taylor worked three jobs, was engaged to be married and loved his daughter, Demi Taylor, 3, and his fiancee's daughter Whitney Crawford, who turned 11 on Monday. "The family was in the process of planning Whitney's birthday party on Monday, and now we have to plan for a funeral," Bradley said. Reach Corey Davis at (803) 774-1295 Staff writer Rob Cottingham contributed to the report. Posted in Local news, News on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
  _UID	F13FE8E063D9441180FFFDC2F1674DB21EFF
  _UID	F13FE8E063D9441180FFFDC2F1674DB21EFF
  Death	14 Jul 2012	Beckwood Road near U.S. 521, Sumter County, South Carolina   [4]
  Burial	19 Jul 2012	St. Paul Church Cemetery, 1495 N. St. Paul Church Road, Sumter, South Carolina   [5]
  	Sumter Funeral Service Inc., 623 Manning Avenue, Sumter, South Carolina Sumter Funeral Service Inc., 623 Manning Avenue, Sumter, South Carolina
  Person ID	I280296	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	2 May 2018

  
  

  Father	Gregory TAYLOR
  Mother	Pamela “Pam” HASTIE
  Marriage	19 Apr 1991	Sumter County, South Carolina   [6]
  _UID	2BC269174BB84BEA997158E019C4DAB351F1
  _UID	2BC269174BB84BEA997158E019C4DAB351F1
  Family ID	F176333	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Betsy CRAWFORD
  _UID	B0B03C9234C246F49C376F306EEB3E70D768
  _UID	B0B03C9234C246F49C376F306EEB3E70D768
  Children	1. Demi Carolina TAYLOR
  Family ID	F188464	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	18 Jul 2012

  
  

• Sources

  [S25871] Wilson Hastie Sr. [S18269] Officer shoots driver. [S18270] Authorities: Motorist's death result of struggle with trooper. [S18271] Coroner: Driver above legal limit. [S18272] Devin T. Taylor. [S5425] Marriage License Index- By Brides’ Name, page 1023.