Officer Lonnie Taylor is back on the beat, and he is still effective at stopping crooks and protecting the families he serves and protects. Taylor is a police officer in Sanford , Florida not far from Orlando . He’s back on the beat after having part of his left leg amputated in a battle with cancer. Now he serves, protects and inspires as he patrols the neighborhood where people have known him for several years.

Officer Taylor faced a tough six month recovery after beating a rare form of bone cancer that develops in cartilage. The day he left to have the life changing surgery on his foot, he told his police chief he would return to work, and he did.

Former Police Chief Brian Tooley speaks highly of Officer Taylor. “Adversity can bring out the best or the worst in people. The best of him came out. Lonnie’s dogged determination inspires all of us.”

Taylor wears a carbon- fiber and titanium prosthesis on his left leg now. It increases his mobility and his ability to be back on the streets and back in his cruiser patrolling Sanford ’s streets.

Officer Taylor says life back on the streets is going great. “I’ve made a few arrests. I’ve gotten into a few situations where I’ve had to take people down to the ground. I feel stronger.”

Taylor worked hard after the amputation. He never considered taking a desk job. Instead, he started walking and then running and finally returned to playing sports. He had to pass a series of rigorous physical agility field test before he could go back on patrol.

Officer Taylor had to dive through a window, get into and out of his patrol car quickly, scale a six foot fence, navigate an obstacle course and he had to complete a sprint. He did them all successfully.

Taylor says the support from the community and from fellow police officers has been great during his recovery and even now. He says his colleagues always have his back. “They continue to show up on my calls to support me, but I cancel them. I like to feel independent. I am independent. It’s nice to know they are there if I need them.”

Neighbors fully support Officer Taylor and his comeback too. Pat Doughty says Lonnie makes a personal connection with people. “He’s interested in how your family is doing, not just in stopping crime in the neighborhood.”

Officer Taylor is looking forward to serving and protecting for years to come. He has a message for people with disabilities and all others facing tough adversity in their lives. “Try to find something that motivates you and don’t forget about that. There’s always something to do. If you give up, you’re done.”

You can contact Officer Lonnie Taylor at LonnieTaylor74@yahoo.com via email.