Today Deputy Mike Naylor was murdered by a child predator who was the subject of an arrest warrant for failure to maintain his required sexual offender registration. The subject named in the search and arrest warrant was determined to be at a residence on the western outskirts of Midland. Deputy Naylor and other officers went to the residence, surrounded it, and announced their presence. The offender did not answer officers. When Deputy Naylor and a second deputy walked to the front door of the residence, a shot was fired from a window. Deputy Naylor was struck in the head and went down instantly. The second deputy attempted to give aid to the fallen officer but suffered a possible heart attack while rendering aid. A third deputy who had just arrived at scene and deputies on the scene courageously rescued the fallen officer at risk to their own lives. Paramedics with a large escort of officers transported Deputy Naylor to Midland Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately the Deputy succumbed to his severe injury.
Deputy Mike Naylor was one of those officers that was respected very greatly by his colleagues but also by the public who knew him, as well. He was the kind of officer who genuinely cared for people and tried to do not only the legal thing, but the right thing in all situations. He served as mental health deputy when not performing other duties. From my personal observations, I know that Mike Naylor cared for the people he detained for mental health issues. He went out of his way to be sure that those people understood he wanted to help them, and he went out of his way to do whatever he could for them to make them more comfortable, to allay their fears. On the street, he was a fair and just officer, always quick with a smile and a handshake. Mike once told me that he was always glad when I was on duty at the hospital, because if things went sour with a mental patient, he always knew I would jump right in the fight with him. I was a security officer at that time, and that was a complement I will never forget.
Today Deputy Naylor was at the hospital talking with the emergency room staff, just like any other day. He waved at me as I walked to my duty station. A few minutes later he told everyone goodbye and he went out on a call for service. Less than an hour later he was shot, and the news of his death spread quickly. It is impossible to describe the pallor that descended on the hospital at that moment as the emergency room filled with deputies and police officers, state troopers, and other officers.
Less than another hour passed and we received news that, as I have had to write time and time again, the shooter meekly surrendered to officers, in the end begging them not to kill him. Having personally been in this situation as a police officer, I can tell you that there is definitely a strong urge to administer quick justice right on the scene. In fact, the officers were very restrained. The shooter was taken into custody, and you and I, as taxpayers, will now be paying for his room and board, AND HIS ATTORNEY, as he awaits trial.
Later, Deputy Naylor's body was brought out of the hospital in a flag-draped gurney, escorted by his colleagues and his wife and loved ones. I can tell you from personal experience that the hardest thing for an officer to do after this is to "go back to work." No, not because of fear that he too might be shot or killed, but simply because it is really hard to be concerned about loud parties, minor car accidents, stupid disputes between neighbors, when his tears are not even dry from crying for his lost partner and friend. But, one by one the deputies and other officers walked slowly away from the ambulance ramp and drove away to finish their shifts and return to their loved ones.
It is a sad day, but I am so proud to have known Deputy Mike Naylor, and to have worked with him even in the limited way I did over the past three years. I am proud to honor him on this page, and I am especially proud of the light he shown on his badge and on the law enforcement profession. I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife and family, and to the officers who lost a most beloved colleague.
Mike, may you rest in peace as you join that Thin Blue Line over on a much better shore. May God bless and comfort your family and your law enforcement brothers and sisters.
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