Family of man shot by Wood County sheriff’s deputy speaks

RUDOLPH, Ohio — Authorities are still investigating the death Sunday of George Taylor, who was shot by a Wood County sheriff’s deputy after he allegedly pointed a rifle at deputies who arrived for a wellness check he had ordered.

Taylor’s family told WTOL 11 on Tuesday that he was a decorated veteran and that his death should not be the last thing people remember about him.

“How can a welfare check end with my uncle’s death? That doesn’t make sense,” said Taylor’s niece Ashleigh Hotz.

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That’s the question Taylor’s family wants answered. One of his nieces said they are still coming to terms with the loss.

“This came out of nowhere,” said Brook Jones. “Just a few days before, we were having a great time and partying. Then we wake up and the first thing we hear is that this happened.”

Police were called to Taylor’s home in Rudolph on Sunday morning. The family said a former Pennsylvania consultant made the call.

Wood County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports that Taylor had expressed suicidal thoughts, but Taylor’s sister, Sheila Long, said the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran was struggling with other issues.

“He was battling post-traumatic stress disorder,” Long said. “He also had a traumatic brain injury, a gunshot wound to the hip, so he had a lot of demons he was battling.”

Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said deputies are trained to handle such situations.

“All of my police officers are trained in critical incidents and know how to deal with people who have mental health issues, are depressed or are suicidal,” he said. “Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. The last thing we want is for the person to die. We’re there to save lives. But the officer had no choice but to do what he did.”

While the family does not blame the deputy who shot Taylor, they wish there was another option.

“I’m not saying he did anything wrong, he probably followed the rules,” Hotz said. “I think the system failed us because there’s no protocol for someone who has a mental health history, is a good person, but is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. There should have been another way.”

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is still investigating the shooting.

The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for anyone in distress and resources for anyone who needs help. Dial 988 and you can be connected to a local crisis center for help 24/7. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org.

The Lucas County Emotional Support Line is available from 8 a.m. to midnight at 419-442-0580 and offers peer support.

If you need to talk to someone and are not in immediate danger, text “HOME” to 741741 to be connected to the Crisis Text Line and a trained counselor. There is no charge and the information will not appear on your phone bill. You can also chat online at www.crisistextline.org.

If you are a young member of the LGBTQ+ community and need help in any way, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386. Calls to the Trevor Project are free and confidential.

Emergency mental health support

The Lucas County CRISISCare hotline at 419-904-2273 can connect you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to a trained local crisis counselor to discuss a mental health emergency.

The Wood County Crisis Line offers immediate assistance at 419-502-4673.

If a situation poses immediate danger to you or a loved one, it may be necessary to call 911 and speak with police, according to NAMI Greater Toledo. It’s important to tell 911 that this is a mental health emergency and to ask for police officers trained in crisis intervention.