On the morning of September 14, 2002, 38-year-old Deputy Sheriff Morris Taylor of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was killed while responding to a report of a man committing lewd acts at a motel on Bear Creek Road in Curtin, Oregon. The call came in at about 7:40 a.m. Taylor made initial contact with the suspect, returned to his patrol car to wait for backup, and then, after another deputy arrived, approached the motel room together.

As the deputies neared the room, the suspect opened fire with a rifle. Deputy Taylor was struck in the head and fatally wounded despite wearing his protective vest. Other deputies returned fire, and the suspect was shot and killed during the exchange. Taylor had 14 years in law enforcement, including three with Douglas County, and was survived by his wife, parents, and sister.

Does anyone have further information about the incident or knew Deputy Taylor and can add context to the timeline?