The Killeen community is preparing to say goodbye to a respected member of its Fire Department. Captain Marvin Taylor III, who tragically passed away following a vehicle collision on Mother's Day, is set to be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 20. In a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin, it was detailed that visitation will occur the day prior, on May 19, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, followed by a Rosary and Eulogy at 6:30 p.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove.
On the day of the funeral, activities will kick start at 11 a.m. at the same church, with limited parking and accommodations for up to 400 guests, plus an overflow room. The Killeen Fire Department officers will then lead a procession through the city to the Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery in Georgetown for the interment and final department honors. According to KWTX, an official route map for the procession will be distributed once available, and the city has advised of the limited capacity at the church during the services.
Captain Taylor's untimely death occurred when his vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle moments after leaving an Austin hospital, where he had just welcomed his fifth child. The incident took place early in the morning at the intersection of East Koenig Lane and Airport Boulevard in North Austin, with a police officer witnessing the crash. "I don't believe that there's a single person on this department that Marvin did not interact with over his 10 years here," Killeen Fire Chief James Kubinski told FOX 7 Austin in a poignant reflection of Captain Taylor's impact on the department.
The individual charged in connection with Captain Taylor's death, Rodney Bremby, has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter. Data from the black Dodge Durango he drove showed he was traveling well over the speed limit at the time of the crash. Despite the severity of the tragedy, Captain Taylor’s family and the Killeen Fire Department have expressed their thanks for the community's support during this challenging time. Residents who wish to contribute to the family’s support can do so by dropping off donations at the Killeen Fire Department or donating online, as noted by both FOX 7 Austin and KWTX.
