Pictured with Bristol Taylor are his wife, Fern, and children Tony, Mickey and Deronda (son Gary is not pictured)
Knott County Deputy Bristol Taylor was killed in the line of duty on November 23, 1973, nearly 40 years ago. He was 29 years old.
By order of the Kentucky General Assembly, Taylor’s memory will be honored during a ceremony to name Ky. 1393, Branham’s Creek Road, the Deputy Bristol Taylor Memorial Highway. The General Assembly resolution was initiated by State Rep. John Short.
A ceremony is set for Friday, June 22, at 11 a.m. in the building next to Taylor Cemetery, where Bristol Taylor is buried. The address is 1547 Branham’s Creek Road.
Everyone who knew Bristol Taylor and all the friends of his family are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public.
On that Friday night in November 1973, Taylor and his partner, Herman Gibson, pulled into the parking lot of the Blue Star Restaurant at Mousie. As they were getting out of the vehicle, they were fired upon. Deputy Gibson was wounded. Bristol Taylor died of four gunshot wounds inflicted by a .357 Magnum revolver.
During the 1974 trial, held in Pike County on a change of venue, Marvin Gibson admitted to the crime. He was convicted of manslaughter in Taylor’s
death and of wounding Herman Gibson. He was sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison by Judge E.N. Venters.
Bristol Taylor was born March 17, 1944, a son of Everett and Mattie Short Taylor. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1960- 1966, including a tour of duty in France. When Taulbee Pratt was elected Knott County Sheriff in 1969, he appointed Taylor chief deputy. He served in that post from 1969 until his death.
Taylor left behind his wife of eight years, Fern Hale Taylor, and four children, sons Gary, Tony, and Michael (Mickey), and daughter Deronda. Fern is a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Carr Creek Elementary, where she has worked with children for the past 27 years.
Friday’s ceremony will include Presentation of Colors by Knott County DAV Chapter 171 (Arthur Mullins, Commander). Kyra Short is scheduled to sing the National Anthem. Pastor McCoy Taylor and State Rep. John Short will participate. Bristol Taylor’s sons Mickey and Tony will speak on behalf of the family.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the family will unveil the sign for Deputy Bristol Taylor Memorial Highway. A crew from Highway District 12 will install the sign at the intersection of Ky. 899 and Ky. 1393. Another sign will already be installed at the intersection of Ky. 1393 and Ky. 582.
Find the Troublesome Creek Times at local stores in Knott and surrounding counties or subscribe to the Times at (606)-785-5134