HAMLET — After serving in the Hamlet Police Department for more than 26 years, recent retiree Captain Stevie Taylor will soon be honored by the city when he is presented with his badge and field weapon.

The decision was made after a motion by Councilman Jesse McQueen was backed by a unanimous vote.

“I didn’t find out about the gun until after the city counsel meeting,” Taylor said. “I feel good about it. I really do. I appreciate them doing it for me. I did ask before I left about buying my weapon. I didn’t know they were going to give it to me.”

During discussion at Tuesday night’s council meeting, there was just one hurdle to be overcome before the field weapon could be given to Taylor.

“State law does give the city the authority,” Mayor Bill Bayless said. “City or county or state highway patrol even, to do that if they so desire. And I think if you check it, Mr. (T.C.) Morphis, I think maybe (general statute) 20-127 or something like that?”

“You pretty well stated that,” Morphis said. “What most local governments will do is they’ll ‘surplus’ the service weapon and the officer will give ‘em a dollar, and then they can give the badge and the service weapon.”

“Mr. McQueen made a motion to do that,” Bayless said. “I would second the motion.”

“I will pay the dollar,” McQueen said.

Taylor and McQueen have known each other for more than 25 years.

“Jesse came to work in ‘91 or ‘92 and worked with the police department,” Taylor said. “I was his sergeant for a while, and then he got promoted. Me and Jesse go way back.”

Taylor said the decision to retire took some serious thought.

“I just knew it was time,” he said. “The way things are going now with law enforcement and everything, I just thought it was time for me to step aside and let somebody else have it.”

Police work runs in Taylor’s family.

“My dad was a deputy sheriff,” he said. “He died at 40 from a heart attack. My brother was a lieutenant at Rockingham PD, and then he had a heart attack and retired. But I think when my daddy did it and my brother got in it, I saw them and I thought that was the career I wanted.”

Taylor had to juggle a full-time job while studying.

“I went to Basic Law Enforcement Training in Montgomery County,” he recalled. “I worked a third shift in the mill and had to be there at 8 in the morning and was there ‘til five in the evening. Sometimes, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got a job. I don’t need to be doing this.’ But Chief (Eddie) Martin, he helped me. I’ve had five different chiefs since I’ve been in Hamlet.”

Among Taylor’s most challenging experiences with the police department was a tragic day in September, 1991.

“I had just come on,” he recounted. “I hadn’t been in it six months when the Imperial (Foods) fire happened. We heard the fire department got the call, and we went down there. We heard there were doors locked and we were trying to get people out. Then we had to go back that night at midnight and make sure there wasn’t anything else in the building. It was bad for the whole town. Just something you don’t want to be put on the map for.”

He said the most important thing he learned during his career was that respecting others garners respect.

“I tried to treat people like I wanted to be treated,” Taylor said. “Now that I’ve been out of it a couple of weeks, I’ve seen people who’ve come up and thanked me for treating them they way I did, telling me they would never have become what they are now if it hadn’t been for me. If I can turn one around, its’ well worth it. That’s the most rewarding.”

Taylor said police work takes a special kind of person.

“It was a good career, but you’ve really got to want to do it,” he explained. “If your heart isn’t in it, it’s not what you want. You don’t go into it for the money, I promise you that. I enjoyed working for the city of Hamlet. I met a lot of good people in the city Hamlet. As far as I know, I’ll be here ‘til I leave here.”

Reach reporter Melonie McLaurin at 910-817-2673.

Courtesy photo Hamlet Police Department retiree Captain Stevie Taylor stands beside his squad car.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Taylor.jpgCourtesy photo Hamlet Police Department retiree Captain Stevie Taylor stands beside his squad car.
26-year veteran will be given badge, service weapon

By Melonie McLaurin

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