A former mayor from Utah who has served in the state’s National Guard since 2013 was identified Saturday as the U.S. service member who was killed in an “insider attack” in Afghanistan earlier in the day, according to reports.
Brent Taylor, a married father of seven children who was deployed to Afghanistan in January, was a former mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people located about 46 miles north of Salt Lake City. Taylor resigned from the mayor’s office before he went overseas, the Standard-Examiner of Ogden reported.
Taylor’s death was confirmed by North Ogden City Councilman Phil Swanson, who spoke with FOX 13 Salt Lake City. Swanson described Taylor as a “one of a kind” person.
U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in a Twitter message, described Taylor’s death as “devastating” news.
“Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend,” Sen. Hatch wrote. “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.”
What Are Your Thoughts?
