Remains of Utah mayor killed in Afghanistan return to U.S.

Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The remains of a Utah mayor killed in Afghanistan have returned to the United States, his family said.

Brent Taylor, mayor of North Ogden, about 45 miles north of Salt Lake City, deployed to Afghanistan in January as a military intelligence officer on a one year leave of absence as mayor.

He died Saturday when he was shot by a trainee in what might have been an "insider attack" in Kabul. Another soldier was injured but has returned to duty.

Taylor and his wife, Jennie, have seven children.

Family members said six U.S. soldiers carried Taylor's casket after it arrived in the United States Tuesday Chaplain David Kruse, an Army major, praised Taylor as a "fallen hero" who had made the "ultimate sacrifice."

Taylor's wife said it's fitting her husband's remains were returned on Election Day -- because before his death he'd encouraged everyone to vote.

"Brent may have died on Afghan soil, but he died for the success of freedom and democracy in both of our countries," wife Jennie said in a statement.

"It seems only fitting," her statement said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to ease the family's financial burden, and had raised $388,615 by Tuesday.

Taylor's funeral at the Weber State University's Dee Events Center is expected to draw a large crowd. A date has not yet been announced.

Taylor deployed four times during his 15 years in the National Guard -- two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.

"The death of Maj. Taylor is a loss for his family, his friends, his colleagues, our country and this mission," said Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of Resolute Support and United States Forces, Afghanistan. "His service here, around the world and at home is an example for us all."