Janet Sue Taylor's Obituary
On Sunday, April 12, Janet Sue Taylor, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at the age of 73 in Hutto, Texas.
Janet was born on November 28, 1946, to Billie Joe and Frances Marie Hardin, coming into this world just six minutes before her twin sister and lifelong best friend, Sandra Lou. Janet received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she would be asked to return almost 40 years later to be honored as one of the most influential women to graduate from the School of Sociology. Jan was a pioneer for women in law enforcement and had two great loves in her life, her career as a Dallas police officer and her two daughters, Diedra and Janette.
Along with with many women in her generation, Jan never accepted the limitations that others placed on her as her own. In August of 1970, Jan was hired as one of the first 10 female officers by the Dallas Police Department. In 1971, Jan and three other female officers were among the first females to be assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. In 1973, Jan became the first female Tactical Officer in the history of the Dallas Police Department and worked the riots in downtown Dallas later that year. Jan was the first female officer who was allowed to stay on patrol when she became pregnant in 1975. Later in her career, Jan served as a field training officer and was mentor to many new officers. She was a board member of Texas Women in Law Enforcement and active with the International Association of Women in Police. She earned many awards and commendations, including a Police Commendation Award. Jan loved being a cop and faithfully served the City of Dallas for more than 30 years. Jan’s first police uniform, a knit dress and heels, is displayed at the Dallas Police Museum along with books she authored highlighting her career and the accomplishments of the woman in Dallas Police Department. Her photo is on the cover and featured inside Michael Fooner’s book, Women In Policing: Fighting Crime Around the World.
The only thing Jan loved more than being a police officer was being with her family. Jan enjoyed playing games such as; cards, dice, dominos, and ping pong. She loved all aspects of boating and being at the lake. She also had a passion for travel and sharing exciting adventures with her daughters, granddaughters, family, and friends. Jan was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Leonard and taught Sunday School for many years.
Jan is survived by her daughter, Diedra Brownell and husband Wylie, daughter Janette Taylor and wife Anna, bonus children, stepson Jeff Taylor and wife Maggie, stepson Gary Taylor and wife Toye, and stepdaughter Laura Taylor, sister Sharon Taylor and husband Robert, niece Christina Mize and husband Randy, and niece Jennifer Hay and husband Rodney. Jan was so proud of her ten grandchildren, Tyra, Sawyer, Crista, Rachel, Amanda, Olivia, Jennifer, Storm, Tracilyn, and Kirsten, and great-nephew Joshua Mize, great-niece Katelyn Hay, great-nephew Jackson Hay.
Janet is joined in heaven with her mother Frances Marie Hardin, father Billie Joe Hardin, twin sister Sandra Lou Davis, and beautiful granddaughter Bailey Nichole Brownell, along with many other extended family members and friends who had gone before her.
“She’s chosen to take a rest and hand the baton to another with her example to do their best.” Rest easy Mom, DPD #2899
Please click on the links below for a couple of videos highlighting Janet's life in pictures
https://youtu.be/PbPjACPvuVk
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/SD79LL3J4JK86ZGQ
To view live broadcast, please visit:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/27805
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