Killeen Fire Captain Marvin Taylor III, has passed away in a car accident this Sunday morning. The fire captain had just welcomed his fifth child at an Austin Hospital and was on route to pick up his other children when he was struck from behind by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. According to a news release from the City of Killeen, an Austin Police unit was next to the captain’s vehicle when the incident occurred, around 1:05 AM, and rendered aid immediately until fire and EMS units arrived. Captain Taylor succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the vehicle that struck Taylor’s Vehicle is in custody of the Austin Police Department. Captain Taylor has been serving the Killeen Fire Department since 2014 and was recently assigned to the Training Division. He is known for his countless deployments with Texas A&M Task Force 1 and TIFMAS. The City of Killeen is asking for privacy and patience as Captain Taylor’s family and the fire department are grieving the heartbreaking loss. Members of the Killeen Fire Department are currently “standing watch” over Captain Taylor and will remain by his side until funeral services are complete.
Captain Taylor began his service with the department on July 7, 2014. He was promoted to the rank of Fire Captain on July 12, 2024, and most recently assigned to the Training Division as the Operations Training Captain. He held numerous fire certifications including Swift Water Boat Operator, Advanced Structural Firefighter, Fire Officer 1, and most recently obtaining TCFP Field Examiner. Marvin was also a member of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Water Rescue Team, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Wildland Team. He deployed many times with both teams to various large-scale incidents both in state and outside on Texas.
Captain Taylor’s immediate family and Killeen Fire Department family are still processing this tragic loss. We ask that all respect the family’s privacy as they navigate this challenging time. Updates regarding visitation and funeral services, as well as other ways to help the family will be communicated through a future press release. Tremendous support has already been provided by the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS Department, Travis County Star Flight, and the Travis County Medical Examiners Office. Members of the Killeen Fire Department are currently “standing watch” over Captain Taylor and will remain by his side until funeral services are complete. Captain Taylor will be brought back to the area by Fire and EMS personnel once he is released from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
