Bellevue will lose a cornerstone of the community on Oct. 1 when Marshal Ron Taylor steps down after 22 years as a law enforcement officer in Blaine County.
Taylor was a rodeo bull-riding champion in his youth and in later years was given the "Crime Prevention Officer of the Year" award from Gov. Cecil Andrus.
Taylor began his law enforcement career in 1987 as a Bellevue Police Department deputy and worked his way up the ranks in the Blaine County Sheriff's Office, training many new officers along the way.
"Ron has been a key person in the sheriff's office," Sheriff Walt Femling said. "He has worked very hard and is extremely popular. You can't replace a Ron Taylor."
During the 1990s, Taylor and "Lucky the Drug Dog" toured schools in Blaine County and across the state, educating children about crime prevention and the dangers of drugs. His retirement follows a two-year stint as marshal of Bellevue, working under contract with the sheriff's office.
Things have changed since Taylor began his career.
"It was a smaller town back then," Taylor said. "With more population there has come more vandalism and domestic calls. But the Bellevue community is outstanding. They are the heart of the valley."
Taylor prides himself on being familiar with the citizens he served as marshal.
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"The kids are important to me. The community is important to me. The kids call me by my first name. I have thought of them as my customers and my priority has been to provide the services they need, "said Taylor, who plans to enjoy retirement with his wife, Vivian, spending as much time as they can with children and grandchildren in Utah.
Over the next three weeks, Taylor will impart some of his knowledge about the city of Bellevue to Blaine County Sheriff's Sgt. Bryan Carpita, who will take his place as Bellevue marshal.
Carpita is currently commander of Blaine County Search and Rescue and has been a sheriff's office deputy since 1996. He will attain the rank of lieutenant at his new position in Bellevue.
Taylor is confident that Carpita will be able to fill his shoes and continue serving the people of Bellevue.
"I helped train him," Taylor said.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com