It was simply to be there for John Taylor and on a blustery, dreary morning 117 runners participated in the run named in his honor.

“It’s rewarding to me to think about all he’s gone through,” said fellow Roanoke Rapids Police Officer Mike Moseley, “the weight, loss, the trauma from the incident.”

Lieutenant Chuck Hasty of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said, “It could happen to any of us,” referring to the day on November 17 when Taylor was shot while making a traffic stop on Interstate 95. “With every traffic stop there is the unknown. He’s lucky to be alive. He had his vest on. His vest saved his life.”

Taylor shows his son a poster from Boys and Girls Club.

Hasty was one of the many volunteers to help with the first John Taylor 5K Recovery Run. “I’m passing out T-shirts and helping show support for the brotherhood.”

Roanoke Rapids Officer Daniel Hundley, who ran in the race, said Taylor has inspired all officers. “I’m doing it for John. It makes you not want to give up. For him to get back to running so quickly, if he can do it, we can do it.”

Emerson Carroll, a deputy with the sheriff’s office, said today was one of camaraderie.

Taylor’s attitude following the shooting has been infectious, Carroll said. “Every time you see John Taylor he is always smiling. He has a positive attitude.”

Carroll said he is slightly envious. “His whole attitude has just been phenomenal. I’m jealous of how positive that boy looks at life. He’s just a good guy.”

Marlon Trone, executive director of the Police Benevolent Association, was taking photos throughout the morning at the T.J. Davis Recreation Center, where a fun run and the 5K started, said the race was a tremendous opportunity for the foundation.

Shortly after Taylor signed in, the Boys and Girls Club of Halifax presented him two posters, thanking him for his recent donation of the $1,000 he received for being named Unsung Hero of the year by First Carolina Agency.

Taylor will be running in the 5K race the club is sponsoring on May 14 during the Festival of the Roanoke its director, Kim Taresco, said.

One of the club's posters.

Derricke Allen, one of the presenters of the posters, said he will be running that day. “We wanted to thank him because he keeps us safe, that he shows us he cares.”

People who didn’t run in the race, volunteered and gave donations, said Detective Joe Puhak, of the sheriff’s office. “We surpassed our goal.”

Puhak said remaining T-shirts from the event, which is expected to become an annual one, will be on sale at Northeastern Safety Supply for $15 and will benefit the race.

Officer John Taylor 5K Recovery Run Results

First three males overall

Wayne Painter

Joseph Maye

Bob Lufkin

First three females overall

Rachel Eure

Canadace Gay

Crystal Temple

First three law enforcement officers

Bob Lufkin

Rodney Robertson

John Taylor

Males 20-29

Doniphan Browder

Norlan Graves

Joseph Puhak

Daniel Hundley

Tommy Childers

Females 20-29

Lindsey Christenbury

Sarah Carpenter

Males 30-39

John Grimes

Carl Brown

Rodney Robertson

Jason Patrick

John Taylor

John Denton

Tim Cain

Adam Speight

David Chapman

Mike Moseley

Les Atkins

Jeremy Sanders

Females 30-39

Jennifer Guevarra

Stacey Simms

Tonya Hasty

Jennifer Marchant

Stephanie Harris

Males 40-49

Michael Clesnevick

Donald Savage

Charles Carroll

Joseph Nixon Jr.

Wayne Harrell

Michael Manning

Randy Byrd

Females 40-49

Susan Smith

Tesha King

Males 50-59

Chris Wicker

Females 50-59

Ginny Orvedahl

Patti Young

Males 60-69

Harry Childers

A. Mullis

Bill Wilburn