TOMMY TAYLOR
March 05, 2007 02:46 pm
Allegations of misrepresentation leveled against WPD officer
Christina Childs
cchilds@weatherforddemocrat.com
Weatherford police officer and owner of Texas Tactical Tommy
Taylor is having a hard time understanding why so many Army Rangers are
angry with him.
It was a clerical error he explained, that brought on the wrath of the
special forces unit, and one not even made by his own hand.
But according to former Army Ranger and Army Ranger Instructor, Mike
Moore, it’s much more than a clerical error, it’s a matter of honor
and integrity.
Moore, along with a number of other current and
former Army Rangers, became aware of a Texas Tactical Web site, in which
Taylor was listed as a former Army Ranger and distinguished Purple Heart
winner.
After checking a military database, Moore, along with retired Army
Ranger Sgt. Major Andrew Bell, found the Web site’s claims to be
false, thus sparking an uproar among those who truly carried the title.....
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quotes shown below
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Stranger |
He made false claims and profited from it.
The title he laid claim to, Ranger,
actually means something. It carries weight and
credibility. It conjures a certain image. |
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Basic training |
I like you! Very smart, and excellent
ability to sum the sad situation up! You might be a stranger
to this board, but please stick around and comment on
various things, I look forward reading your posts!
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Stranger |
I am Mr. Moore.
Note his headgear has a Ranger Tab on it. be advised that Ranger tab is an award, just as the same a Purple Heart. Here is link to his website, the date on top shows his Ranger claim back in 2002. http://web.archive.org/web/20010902033639/http://www.texastactical.com/ His lie about this being a recent change to bio and was an honest mistake is proven false with the above link. |
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March 11, 2007
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Published: March 20, 2007 04:13 pm
Officer faces charge of 'stealing valor' from soldiers
By Christina Childs
WEATHERFORD DEMOCRAT (WEATHERFORD, Texas)
WEATERFORD, Texas A Texas police officer who falsely claimed he had earned a Purple Heart, could be charged under a relatively new federal law that makes it illegal to "steal valor."
On March 8, Weatherford Police Officer Tommy Taylor was placed on paid administrative leave for lying about being an Army Ranger and having a Purple Heart on a Web site for his business, Texas Tactile. He declined comment this week, but in an earlier interview said the statements were clerical errors made by his business manager.
Allegations were raised earlier this month by a number of current and former Army Rangers. Those making the accusations were outraged and stated Taylor’s alleged claims dishonored their fallen brethren, and that he should face prosecution under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005.
"I’m not doing this for myself," said retired Army Ranger Mike Moore. "Since the War on Terror began I have lost 25 friends. Guys I know that have done my job as a Ranger. I do it for them, for the job they did, because they’re the ones not walking around anymore."
"I have never, never, never claimed to be an Army Ranger," Taylor said previously. "This whole thing adds up to a clerical error made by my manager."
If charges are pressed against Taylor, he could face serious penalties under the newly instituted Stolen Valor Act.
The Act, made public law in December 2006, was an amendment to the federal criminal code.
It prohibits falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges.
Penalties are increased for violations involving a Distinguished Service Cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Sliver Star or a Purple Heart.
Christina Childs writes for the Weatherford (Texas) Democrat.
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Published: May 25, 2007 06:19 pm
Officer accused of misrepresentation retires from WPD
Christina Childscchilds@weatherforddemocrat.com
After 10 years of service with the Weatherford Police
Department, officer Tommy Taylor announced his plans to retire.
Recently, Taylor has been surrounded by a whirlwind of controversy
stemming from allegations of misrepresentation.
Taylor was accused of claiming a false service record and military
awards on his Texas Tactical Web site by a group of former Army
Rangers some months ago.
The Rangers sought disciplinary action and possible charges in
accordance with the Stolen Valor Act of 2005.
After formal complaints were filed with the Weatherford Police
Department, an internal investigation ensued. However, before
Weatherford Police Chief Jerry Blaisdell rendered a final decision,
Taylor submitted his retirement letter.
“Retirement was solely his decision,” Blaisdell said. “He was
still in the appeal process when he turned in his retirement letter.
“When we have to do these type of reviews, no one looks forward to
them, our goal is to be fair and objective with the process. His
choosing to retire is his personal choice.”
Taylor, who owns the Weatherford-based Texas Tactical, said he plans
to use his retirement to further other ventures.
“We got everything cleared up,” Taylor said. “I decided on
retirement for two reason, one, to further my business, and two,
having had to prove a lot of things, you start getting your priorities
straight on what direction to take in life.”
Taylor added he plans to leave the force in November. He will be using
the remainder of his vacation time between then and now, and will not
return to the force on active duty before his set retirement date.
Taylor, who was vested through the Texas Municipal Retirement Service,
will collect a pension after his departure from the law enforcement.