Former Volunteer Tulsa Police Chaplain Recounts His Dedication To Helping Others

Lemuel Taylor has experienced a lot in 82 years. 27 of those he's spent serving as a volunteer Chaplain with local enforcement agencies.

Wednesday, September 29th 2021, 1:22 pm

By: Ashlyn Brothers

TULSA, Oklahoma -

A Chaplain with the Tulsa Police Department said he's lived a lot of life in his 82 years.

Lemuel Taylor has served as a volunteer Chaplain for more than 20 years, between his time with TPD and Tulsa County. We're often taught as children to 'listen to your elders'. Lemuel Taylor said he's worked for every wrinkle he has.

"I don't care if you're a shoemaker or barber. This and that. That's a ministry if you carry Jesus in it,” said Taylor.

Taylor was raised by his mom in Michigan and went into the Army after high school. Taylor later moved to Oklahoma and married who he calls his better half. They built a life together—a beautiful, blended family of nine.

"This is the hospitality house. In a 5-year period we took in 15 foster kids along with all the kids we got," said Taylor.

Taylor's seen a lot in 82 years. He's lived through disasters, several presidencies, and seen this nation go to war.

"I praise the Lord that I got exposed to the greater one. The greater one," said Taylor.

Taylor said he's experienced racial injustice, survived cancer, lived through a pandemic, and for 27 years he's served as a Chaplain with the Tulsa Police Department ministering to thousands of people on what could be the worst day of their life."

"Our purpose is to be there for the family which allows the police officers to do their investigation,” said Taylor.

This became more difficult two years ago when Taylor suffered severe spinal injury paralyzing him for many months.

“I mean I'm in pain even right now with these hands," said Taylor.

He still needs help writing and walking but not talking.

"When this accident happened to me, I told devil then you might have got my body but you ain't get my mouth,” said Taylor.

Taylor said helping others has helped him and not even a broken body will stop him.

"And if you here, be obedient, you're gonna be happy. You're gonna have joy. You're gonna have peace," said Taylor.

That is the lesson of Taylor's lifetime.