Former Bellevue Marshal Ron Taylor has been named grand marshal for this year's Labor Day Parade in Bellevue. The honorary title does not require that Taylor fight crime or make peace in the city, as he once did, but it does mark a crowning achievement in his career serving the city of Bellevue.
The parade will take place on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 1 p.m., with Taylor and his wife, Vivian, traveling the route down Bellevue's Main Street in a vintage convertible. Since retiring last year, Taylor and his wife have been living in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, enjoying their family as well as playing golf and taking in some Jazz games.
"Every day is a good day and life is good," Taylor said. "I want to thank Bellevue and all the residents there for the opportunity to serve their town and get to know the people who live and work there."
Taylor served the community in various ways for 33 years and said he misses the friends he made here.
Taylor and his wife arrived in the Wood River Valley in 1975, after a stint on the pro rodeo circuit and cattle shows, to manage the Susie Q Ranch in Picabo. Ten years later he became a deputy marshal in Bellevue before joining the Blaine County Sheriff's Office.
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.
Taylor prides himself on being familiar with the citizens he served as marshal.
"The kids are important to me. They called me by my first name. I thought of them as my customers and my priority has been to provide the services they need."
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 former Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus.
Last October, he stepped down after 22 years as a law enforcement officer in Blaine County.
"Ron has been a key person in the sheriff's office," Sheriff Walt Femling said when Taylor decided to retire. "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 followed a two-year stint as marshal of Bellevue, working under contract with the sheriff's office.
"The Bellevue community is outstanding. They are the heart of the valley," he said.
Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com
Courtesy photo.
Ron Taylor rides a bull during his rodeo days.
