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2001 SESSION
019599526Whereas, Harold C. Taylor (Mr. Taylor) served as the Sheriff of Isle of Wight County, Virginia; and
Whereas, in 1963, Kelly Bell escaped from the custody of a parole officer operating out of Newport News, Virginia; and
Whereas, during his escape, Mr. Bell is alleged to have stated to the parole officer “I will kill the next police officer I see”; and
Whereas, the parole officer, despite having information of this threat, did not include it when he informed the State police of the escape; and
Whereas, when the report of the escape was subsequently reported to law enforcement authorities, no information of the specific threat was included; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor responded to a call on Highway 258, approximately two miles from Windsor, Virginia; and
Whereas, in responding to the call, Mr. Taylor requested a search of records on Mr. Bell and was informed that no records existed; and
Whereas, when Mr. Taylor approached Mr. Bell he did not have any information of the specific threat Mr. Bell had made against law enforcement officials; and
Whereas, as he approached Mr. Bell, Mr. Taylor was shot by Mr. Bell three times in the face; and
Whereas, despite receiving terrible and severe wounds, Mr. Taylor survived the shooting; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor underwent several medical procedures and extensive physical therapy in an attempt to return to his previous state of health; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor’s determined efforts resulted in his being able to return for a short period to his position as Sheriff; and
Whereas, despite his determined effort to return to his position, the injuries from the shooting worsened and prevented him from continuing as Sheriff; and
Whereas, at the time of the shooting, Mr. Taylor was 36 years old; and
Whereas, in spite of his deteriorating physical condition, Mr. Taylor continued to support his family with the help of his wife through developing two family-run businesses; and
Whereas, through these business ventures, Mr. Taylor and his family have been able to support the heavy financial cost associated with the disability brought on by the shooting; and
Whereas, increasingly since the shooting, Mr. Taylor’s medical health has progressively worsened causing additional financial needs; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor is now confined to a mechanical wheel chair due to the loss of balance and the use of his right leg; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor also has only partial use of both arms and curvature of the spine; and
Whereas, Mr. Taylor, now at age 73, continues to be burdened by the ever-increasing medical and support expenses related to the injuries suffered from the shooting; and
Whereas, Harold C. Taylor has no other means to obtain adequate relief except by action of this body; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That there is hereby appropriated from the general fund of the state treasury the sum of $ 25,000 for the relief of Harold C. Taylor, to be paid by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller upon execution of a release of all claims Mr. Taylor may have against the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, office, employee or political subdivision in connection with the aforesaid occurrence.