02.03.01

By Jessica Brown

When Harold Taylor, former sheriff of Isle of Wight County, responded to an ominous call in 1963, he had no way of knowing that 35 years later he would need a wheelchair to get around and would have to ask the state of Virginia for financial assistance.

The story happened like this:

In 1963, Kelly Bell escaped from the custody of a parole officer operating out of Newport News. Bell allegedly told the officer, "I will kill the next police officer I see."

Although the parole officer reported the escape to state police, he neglected to advise them of Bell’s threat.

Shortly thereafter, Taylor responded to a call on Highway 258 about two miles from Windsor, where he met Bell. The sheriff, unaware of Bell’s verbal threat against law enforcement officials, did not expect any immediate danger. But, as he approached the escapee, Taylor was shot three times in the face.

Despite severe wounds, Taylor survived and, after several medical procedures and extensive physical therapy, he was able to return to work for a short period. When his condition worsened, Taylor was forced to resign.

With the help of his wife, however, he was able to support his family by developing two family-run businesses. Taylor’s health worsened with time, causing additional financial needs.

Beginning in 1970, he went to his state legislators for help.

Taylor received $40,000 from the state in 1970 and a van equipped with a wheelchair lift in 1995. At 73, he is burdened still by medical expenses resulting from the shooting.

Taylor must use a wheelchair because he cannot use his right leg and suffers from a loss of balance. He has only partial use of his arms, and he has curvature of the spine. Taylor’s daughter is dead; his son cannot support him; and he refuses to go to a nursing home. But still, the medical bills grow as his health continues to deteriorate.

Exhausting all other solutions, Taylor turned to the state Legislature – hoping that, once again, he would find kindness at the Capitol. He asked Delegate William K. Barlow, D-Smithfield, to help him win an additional $25,000 during the 2001 General Assembly – and he’s almost got it.

The House Claims Committee passed a bill Wednesday that awards the $25,000 to Taylor, increasing his share of state-appropriated funds to $81,000 since 1970.

"This is the taxpayers’ money we’re giving away and I know we have to do that, but I didn’t know we were going to give it all to one person," Delegate Thomas W. Moss, D-Norfolk, said, chuckling, during the panel’s meeting.

Other committee members questioned why the commonwealth appropriated funds for Taylor to begin with. After some discussion of the matter, the committee decided to restrict the funds by providing Taylor $5,000 each year for the next five years – or until he dies.