Lt. Channing L. Taylor of the Florida Highway Patrol, who is stationed at Troop D in Cocoa, has been named the FHP's 2016 Trooper of the Year.
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Taylor, who has been with FHP for more than 22 years, was recognized for saving the lives of bystanders during an incident in June 2015 when a passenger of a truck shot the trooper in the shoulder. Taylor returned fire and killed 15-year-old Zane Terryn, according to FHP.
“Lieutenant Taylor is to be commended for his actions. He not only ended a life-threatening situation to himself, but his quick and decisive actions ensured the safety of the individuals around him,” FHP Director Col. Gene S. Spaulding stated in a press release. “Lieutenant Taylor demonstrated his commitment to the Florida Highway Patrol and the residents and visitors of the great state of Florida by his actions that day and is well deserving of this recognition.”
On June 15, 2015, Morgan McNeil and boyfriend Terryn made a suicide pact, stole a gun from a relative and proceeded to drive to Ohio, where McNeil once lived, according to prosecutors.
But when they stopped at a convenience store in Cocoa, Taylor noticed a headlight was out on the car the couple was driving.
When he went over to tell them about it, Terryn opened fire, shooting and wounding Taylor. The trooper returned fire, killing Terryn.
McNeil is encarcerated in a maximum-risk juvenile residential program.