Community Mourns, Raises Money For Fallen CHP Officer

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) -- Community members from around the Sacramento Valley came to pay their respects at a public viewing to honor fallen CHP Officer Nathan Taylor in Roseville Saturday afternoon.

Taylor's family says they are overwhelmed by all the support from the community, after Taylor was hit by a car last Sunday along Interstate 80 near Donner Summit.

CHP Captain Ryan Stonebraker says, "That tragedy that happened is horrible for us, and to have the community come together means the world to us."

The sense of togetherness was apparent Friday night in Truckee, when the California Highway Patrol joined the Truckee Police Department for a basketball tournament against a local high school basketball team.

Their goal is to help raise money in memory of Officer Taylor.

Officer Nol Borden of the Truckee Police Department helped organize the tournament.

"Truckee is an amazing town. It has a unique dynamic, and when things like this go down, it doesn't matter where you work, everybody is a family. We all came together, and this is great."

The Truckee Police Officers' Association holds a fundraiser each year, and this year they were going to donate their proceeds to "Sober Grad Night" until Truckee CHP lost one of their own.

"Within hours of everything going down all the school administrators said we need to re-think where this money is going, and we decided to do a fundraiser for Officer Taylor."

A six-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, family members and colleagues remember Officer Taylor as a man who touched many lives, but whose own life was taken too soon.

"He's certainly a selfless officer and gave so much to the community and we were fortunate to know him."

The public viewing for Officer Taylor extends until Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Officer Taylor's funeral will be held at Hillside Christian Church in Roseville on Tuesday morning.

A memorial account has been established through the CAHP Credit Union for the survivors of the fallen officer.  Donations can be mailed to the CAHP Credit Union, P.O. Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95826 or call 1-800-542-2247. Cards may be sent to the following address:

California Highway Patrol

Gold Run Area

50 Canyon Creek Road

Gold Run, CA 95717