Obit: Taylor, Ricky A. (1990 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Taylor, Lopez, Ashmore, Woolner, Davis, Kottmann Backus, Bembnister, Lindner

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co, WI) 12/18/2013

Taylor, Ricky Austin (1 August 1990 - 13 December 2013)

Ricky Taylor, 23, of Neillsville, formerly of Elizabeth, IL, died Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.

Ricky Austin Taylor was born Aug. 1, 1990, in Ogden, UT, the son of Ricky L. and Jolynn M. (Lopez). They moved to Elizabeth, IL, in 1994, and Ricky attended River Ridge Schools. In 2007, he moved to Plainfield, IL, and graduated from Plainfield High School in 2009. After graduation, he worked at Costco, and in August of 2013, he moved to Neillsville, where he was working at Hardee’s.

Ricky had a passion for singing, writing song lyrics, writing poetry and he enjoyed artistry. He also enjoyed basketball and loved the Chicago Bears. Most of all, though, Ricky loved his nephews. He also loved children in general and dogs. He was a very generous and caring person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone.

He is survived by his parents, Jolynn M. (Donald Woolner Jr.) Ashmore of Neillsville and Rick Taylor of Ogden, UT; three sisters, Cassandra (John Davis of Wadsworth, IL, Ashley Taylor of Stockton, IL, and Nikole Taylor of Ogden, UT; his nephews, Theodore and Kameron; and his grandparents, Diane Kottmann of Neillsville, Benny Lopez of Payson, UT, and Connie Taylor of Ogden, UT. Ricky is also survived by many friends.

A funeral service for Ricky will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville with visitation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Ricky’s family with funeral arrangements.

Account of the shooting death of Ricky Austin Taylor: Clark County Press, 18 December 2013:

Neillsville man died after being shot by officer:

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday morning, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a fight in progress at 1009 Grand Avenue in the City of Neillsville.

Chief Deputy Jim Backus said the caller reported a domestic disturbance was in progress involving a knife. City of Neillsville police officer Aaron Bembnister, 24, responded to the call a few minutes later.

According to the incident report prepared by Backus, Bembnister walked up to the main entrance of the residence located at the west side of the house. A Neillsville man, Ricky Taylor, 23, began approaching the officer with a knife in his hand. After numerous orders to drop the knife and as Taylor continued advancing on the front porch, the officer shot the man. Taylor’s mother, Jolynn Ashmore, reported hearing four consecutive shots ring out.

Neillsville Police Chief Brad Lindner said the Neillsville Ambulance Service was summoned, with medical attention being administered by the Neillsville officer and a Clark County Sheriff’s Department deputy until the ambulance arrived.

Taylor was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville, and was then flown by Spirit Air medical transport to Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. Taylor later died from his injuries.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Clark County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation. The Wisconsin State Patrol also assisted at the scene.

Lindner said Friday the Neillsville officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pursuant to the department policy during the investigation.