So-called insider attacks have long been a problem for coalition forces in Afghanistan. At their peak in 2012, 61 coalition soldiers were killed by such attacks.

Major Taylor decided to join the military someday after the Sept. 11 attacks while attending Brigham Young University, according to a profile published in January in The Deseret News, a Salt Lake City newspaper. His five brothers also joined the Army in the years after the 2001 attacks, it said.

His wife, Jennie Taylor, said in the article that service was an important part of their lives, and an example for their seven children. “I hope they know that in our family, we help,” she said. “In our family, we do what we can. If it’s something we can do, and the call comes to serve, we say yes.”

Major Taylor urged others to action as well, saying on Facebook in January that whether “reading to children at a school, or simply helping a neighbor, there are ways all around us to brighten someone’s day.”

Last Sunday in what appeared to be his last Facebook post, he called on all Americans to vote. “Whether the Republicans or the Democrats win,” he said, it is important “that we all remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us.”

Accolades poured out for Major Taylor late Saturday across social media.

“He was the best of men with the ability to see potential and possibility in everything around him,” North Ogden’s website said in announcing his death. It added, “He was patriotic to the core and a shining example of what an American politician should be.”

Mitt Romney, the 2012 presidential candidate who is now running for the Senate in Utah, said on Twitter that he was “heartbroken” over the news.</s>NORTH OGDEN, Utah – The mayor of a Utah city was killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state’s National Guard, the Salt Lake Tribune and other media reported.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor died Saturday in an apparent “insider attack” in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, the Tribune reported. Another U.S. service member is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack, American military officials said.

The Utah National Guard has identified the service member killed as a member of the Guard. The Guard member’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

But Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox wrote on his Facebook page that Taylor, 39, has been killed.

“Devastating news. North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor was killed today while serving in Afghanistan,” Cox said. “I hate this. I’m struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his seven sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today. This war has once again cost us the best blood of a generation. We must rally around his family.”

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch issued a statement Saturday about Taylor’s death on Twitter. “Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered,” Hatch said.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert plans to hold a news conference on Sunday to discuss the death.

Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Utah National Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty. Taylor, an officer in the National Guard, previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

At the time of his deployment in January, Taylor told local media that, as an intelligence officer, he will be assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion.

“Right now there is a need for my experience and skills to serve in our nation’s long-lasting war in Afghanistan,” he said. “President Trump has ordered an increase in troops, and part of the new strategy focuses on expanding the capabilities of the Afghan commando units.”

Taylor became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles north of Salt Lake City, in 2013.

The Tribune reported that on the day of his deployment in mid-January, North Ogden police escorted Taylor and his family around town as hundreds of residents lined the streets to see him off.</s>NORTH OGDEN, Utah — The mayor of a Utah city was killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard, authorities said.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Another U.S. service member whose name was not immediately released was being treated for wounds sustained in the attack, U.S. military officials said.

Ogden posted a message on Facebook days before his death about voting, freedom and unity.

In a statement Saturday night, Utah Gov. Herbert said he was "heartbroken at the news" of Taylor's death and felt "completely humbled by the service and the ultimate sacrifice offered by this brave and selfless soldier."

"Devastating news," Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox wrote in a statement. ""I hate this. I'm struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his seven sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today. This war has once again cost us the best blood of a generation. We must rally around his family."

Taylor, 39, was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Utah National Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty. Taylor, an officer in the National Guard, previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

"Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend," U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said on Twitter. "News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered."

At the time of his deployment in January, Taylor told local media that, as an intelligence officer, he will be assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion.

"Right now there is a need for my experience and skills to serve in our nation's long-lasting war in Afghanistan," he said. "President Trump has ordered an increase in troops, and part of the new strategy focuses on expanding the capabilities of the Afghan commando units."

Taylor became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles north of Salt Lake City, in 2013.

The Tribune reported that on the day of his deployment in mid-January, North Ogden police escorted Taylor and his family around town as hundreds of residents lined the streets to see him off.

Herbert scheduled a Sunday news conference with Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, the adjutant general of the state's National Guard.

Taylor and his wife celebrated their anniversary in September.</s>A U.S. soldier was killed Saturday in Kabul, Afghanistan, in what authorities are calling an insider attack. The soldier was Major Brent Taylor, and he was both an officer in the Utah National Guard and the mayor of North Ogden, Utah.

Taylor, 39, had been the town's mayor since 2013, and a member of the city council before that. North Ogden is a town of about 19,000 people, a bedroom community 40 miles north of Salt Lake City.

"Brent Taylor was a dynamic individual," said Brent Chugg, who has served as North Ogden's temporary mayor during Taylor's deployment. "Very forward-thinking. He accomplished great things for our city."

Taylor was a longtime member of the Utah National Guard, and in January, he was deployed to Afghanistan. He had served an earlier tour there as a combat adviser to the Afghan Border Police, and completed two tours in Iraq.

Chugg told NPR that he was devastated to learn yesterday that Taylor had been killed. "I've been trying to fill in for him while he's been gone as mayor, and he has big shoes to fill."

When Taylor left Utah for Afghanistan, North Ogden schoolchildren lined the streets and cheered for him as he waved from a motorcade.

The U.S. Army says that Taylor was shot by a member of the Afghan military, who was then immediately killed by other Afghan forces. Taylor had been supporting special operations forces in the region. Another service member, who has not been named, was wounded in the attack.

Taylor is the 38th U.S. military member killed in action in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2015. Since October 2001, 2,270 U.S. service members have died there.

Chugg said that townspeople are reeling from the mayor's death.

"They love the man. He is well-liked by everyone in North Ogden and everybody loves his family," he said. "He was a man of faith, very devoted to his church. Was devoted to his position in the city. He accomplished some great projects here. ... I just can't say enough good enough about him. A great friend."

Other Utah politicians shared their sorrow about the news.

"I'm struggling for words," Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter. "I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his 7 sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today. This war has once again cost us the best blood of a generation. We must rally around his family. Thank you for your sacrifice my friend."

In a press conference Sunday, Major General Jefferson Burton, who leads the Utah National Guard, said that Taylor had been training members of the Afghan army.

"He was with folks he was helping and training. That's what's so painful about this. It's bitter," Burton said, according to The Associated Press. "I do believe that Major Taylor felt he was among friends, with people he was working with."

"For me personally, Brent typified the citizen soldier, who served so diligently in his community — as well as felt this call to wear a uniform and serve wherever the nation needed him to go," Burton said. "He's a heavy loss for us, and will be missed."

In a speech last year for Veteran's Day, Taylor listed a number of contributions the U.S. has made to the world. Chief among them: democracy. He thanked the veterans of North Ogden who were gathered there.

"The sacrifices of you and so many of your comrades," Taylor said, "have made it possible for America to be a source of light, scientific growth, and human progress throughout its entire history. I thank you, and I pray always that God will bless America."

Taylor was supposed to return home and resume his post as mayor in January.</s>DRAPER — Utah National Guard officials will be holding a news conference to release more details about the death of Brent Taylor, North Ogden mayor and major in Utah's Army National Guard.

Taylor, 39, took an unprecedented one-year leave of absence from his post as mayor for his deployment to Afghanistan in January. But months away from his return, Taylor was killed during an apparent insider attack Saturday in Kabul.

National media reported one service member was killed and another was wounded "in an insider attack" at the Kabul Military Training center, where a member of the Afghan security forces opened fire on them, officials told the Washington Post. The attacker was then killed by Afghan forces.

Taylor leaves behind his wife, Jennie, and seven children.

This story will be updated.</s>DRAPER, Utah (AP) — The Latest on a Utah city mayor killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard (all times local):

Military officials say a major in Utah's Army National Guard who was also the mayor of a city north of Salt Lake City was killed in Afghanistan after being shot by a member of the Afghan security forces.

They say Brent Taylor was in the country to train Afghan commandos and was shot Saturday by one of the trainees at the Kabul military training center. The attacker was then killed by Afghan forces.

U.S. military officials say another military member whose name has not been made public was wounded during the attack.

The 39-year-old Taylor was on a one-year leave of absence from his job as mayor of North Ogden for his deployment to Afghanistan. He was scheduled to return in January.

Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, told reporters Sunday that Taylor's mission was to help train and build the capacity of the Afghan national army.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says Taylor loved the people of Afghanistan and was there to help.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he is heartbroken the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Herbert in a statement says Taylor gave "the ultimate sacrifice" and was a "brave and selfless soldier."

U.S. military officials say another service member whose name hasn't been released is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack.

Additional information is scheduled to be released later Sunday at a news conference with Herbert and Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard.

The 39-year-old Taylor deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty.

He previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor in 2013 became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City.

Authorities say the mayor of a Utah city has been killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

U.S. military officials say another U.S. service member whose name hasn't been released is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack.

But Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox wrote on his Facebook page that Taylor has been killed.

The 39-year-old Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Utah National Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty.

He previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor in 2013 became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City.</s>NORTH OGDEN, Utah (AP) — A Utah mayor who was also a Utah Army National Guard major training commandos in Afghanistan was fatally shot by one of his Afghan trainees, officials said Sunday.

Brent Taylor, 39, had taken a yearlong leave of absence as mayor of North Ogden north of Salt Lake City for his deployment to Afghanistan.

He was a military intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters and was expected to return to his mayoral job in January. Another U.S. military member whose name was not immediately made public was wounded in Saturday’s attack that killed Taylor, who died from wounds from small arms fire, military officials said.

Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, told reporters that Taylor’s mission was to help train and build the capacity of the Afghan national army.

“He was with folks he was helping and training. That’s what’s so painful about this. It’s bitter,” Burton said. “I do believe that Major Taylor felt he was among friends, with people he was working with.”

Utah media outlets cited a statement from NATO saying that Taylor was shot by one of the commandos being trained and that the attacker was killed by Afghan forces.

Taylor leaves behind a wife and seven children. His remains are scheduled to arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday evening.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said Taylor “was there to help. He was a leader. He loved the people of Afghanistan… This is a sad day for Utah, for America.”

“Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend,” U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said on Twitter. “News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his seven young children. His service will always be remembered.”

Taylor served two tours in Iraq and was on his second tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor in January when he was being deployed told local media that he was assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion.

Hundreds of residents of North Ogden lined the street to see him off as police escorted him and his family around North Ogden, a community of about 17,000.

Taylor became the city’s mayor in 2013.</s>The Latest: Funeral plans are pending for Utah Guard major

NORTH OGDEN, Utah (AP) — The Latest on a Utah city mayor killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard (all times local):

The remains of Utah mayor who was also a major in the Utah Army National Guard and killed in Afghanistan are scheduled to arrive Monday evening at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Authorities say funeral plans still are pending for 39-year-old Brent Taylor.

Officials say he was training commandos in Afghanistan and died when a member of the Afghan security forces shot him on Saturday.

Taylor had taken a yearlong leave of absence from his job as the mayor of the Utah city of North Ogden for his deployment to Afghanistan.

He was a military intelligence officer with Joint Force Headquarters and was expected to return to his mayor's job in January.

Taylor leaves behind a wife and seven children.

Military officials say a major in Utah's Army National Guard who was also the mayor of a city north of Salt Lake City was killed in Afghanistan after being shot by a member of the Afghan security forces.

They say Brent Taylor was in the country to train Afghan commandos and was shot Saturday by one of the trainees at the Kabul military training center. The attacker was then killed by Afghan forces.

U.S. military officials say another military member whose name has not been made public was wounded during the attack.

The 39-year-old Taylor was on a one-year leave of absence from his job as mayor of North Ogden for his deployment to Afghanistan. He was scheduled to return in January.

Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, told reporters Sunday that Taylor's mission was to help train and build the capacity of the Afghan national army.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says Taylor loved the people of Afghanistan and was there to help.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he is heartbroken the death of North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Herbert in a statement says Taylor gave "the ultimate sacrifice" and was a "brave and selfless soldier."

U.S. military officials say another service member whose name hasn't been released is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack.

Additional information is scheduled to be released later Sunday at a news conference with Herbert and Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard.

The 39-year-old Taylor deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty.

He previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor in 2013 became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City.

Authorities say the mayor of a Utah city has been killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard.

North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

U.S. military officials say another U.S. service member whose name hasn't been released is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack.

But Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox wrote on his Facebook page that Taylor has been killed.

The 39-year-old Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Utah National Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty.

He previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

Taylor in 2013 became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City.</s>NORTH OGDEN, Utah -- The mayor of a Utah city was killed during an attack in Afghanistan while he was serving with the state's National Guard, the town's temporary mayor Brent Chugg confirmed to CBS Salt Lake City affiliate KUTV. North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor died Saturday in an apparent "insider attack" in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Another U.S. service member is being treated for wounds sustained in the attack, American military officials said.

The Utah National Guard has identified the service member killed as a member of the Guard. The Guard member's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

But Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox wrote on his Facebook page that Taylor, 39, has been killed.

"Devastating news. North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor was killed today while serving in Afghanistan," Cox said. "I hate this. I'm struggling for words. I love Mayor Taylor, his amazing wife Jennie and his seven sweet kids. Utah weeps for them today. This war has once again cost us the best blood of a generation. We must rally around his family."

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch issued a statement Saturday about Taylor's death on Twitter. "Brent was a hero, a patriot, a wonderful father, and a dear friend. News of his death in Afghanistan is devastating. My prayers and love are with Jennie and his 7 young children. His service will always be remembered," Hatch said.

Republican Senate candidate Mitt Romney said he is "heartbroken with the tragic news."

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert plans to hold a news conference on Sunday to discuss the death.

Taylor was deployed to Afghanistan in January with the Utah National Guard for what was expected to be a 12-month tour of duty. Taylor, an officer in the National Guard, previously served two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan.

At the time of his deployment in January, Taylor told local media that, as an intelligence officer, he will be assigned to serve on an advisory team training the staff of an Afghan commando battalion.

"Right now there is a need for my experience and skills to serve in our nation's long-lasting war in Afghanistan," he said. "President Trump has ordered an increase in troops, and part of the new strategy focuses on expanding the capabilities of the Afghan commando units."

Taylor became mayor of North Ogden, a city of about 17,000 people 46 miles north of Salt Lake City, in 2013.

More than 2,400 Americans have been killed in the 17-year-old war, CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has reported. Earlier this year, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Bolyard was shot dead in an insider attack, killed by one of the Afghan security members he came to Afghanistan to train.

That followed another insider attack that claimed the life of 20-year-old Army Cpl. Joseph Maciel in July.</s>NORTH OGDEN, Utah (FOX13)– The Mayor of North Ogden, Brent Taylor, has been killed in Afghanistan after being deployed to the country as part of the Utah National Guard.

Taylor, who has served with the Utah National Guard since 2013, was deployed in January of this year.

The Utah National Guard said in a statement Saturday that a service member died in an “insider attack” in Kabul on Nov. 3. Initial reports indicated that the attacker was a member of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, the statement said.

“These reports also indicate the attacker was immediately killed by other Afghan Forces,” the statement said. “The incident is under investigation.”

Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton are planning to address the media at a press conference scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Utah National Guard’s Draper Headquarters.

“Per Department of Defense policy, the name of the deceased service member will be released 24 hours after next of kin notification,” the statement said. “Additional information will be released as appropriate.”

The Salt Lake Tribune confirmed Saturday that Taylor passed away.

Taylor had seen multiple deployments to Iraq as well as deployments to Afghanistan. This time around, he was serving as an intelligence officer training Afghan forces.

“Another month has flown by since my last update,” Taylor wrote in an update on his deployment in April. “Things are going great, and I absolutely love the dedicated US and Afghan soldiers I serve with every day.
An Afghan commando in Kabul kills Major Brent Taylor of the Utah National Guard, who was also the mayor of North Ogden, Utah.