Another Victim of the Joplin Tornado

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Photo via the Kansas City "Star"
Riverside, MO police officer Jeff Taylor, one of the first responders to the Joplin tornado, passed away in a Springfield hospital yesterday due to complications from being struck by lightning the day after the tornado.

There were strong thunderstorms in the Joplin area the day after the tornado. When the storms rolled in, officer Taylor was caught outdoors and struck. Please keep in mind that everything was leveled over a huge geographic area and there was no shelter to be had.

We often do not realize the risk that first responders face after a major storm or other natural disaster. Please allow me to again thank the first responders to the many tornadoes this spring and offer my condolences to officer Taylor's family and friends.

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