GUARDING THE GOVERNOR

Tom Taylor, left, discussed plans with Governor Mel Carnahan on a Friday afternoon about next weeks travel plans.

A .44 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver that Governor Crittenden kept in his desk draw for protection from the James Gang.

JEFFERSON CITY -- Tom Taylor points to a display case in the state museum on the first floor of the state Capitol. In the case is a .44 caliber Smith and Wesson Revolver Gov. Thomas Crittenden kept loaded at his desk as protection against retaliation by the James gang in 1881.

A reproduction of a poster from that day offers a $5,000 reward for Frank and Jesse James.

In the modern era, governors don't need the "protection" of a loaded weapon. Nevertheless, as high ranking officials who make decisions that affect the lives of people, state governors rank just behind the president as public officials most at risk.

That's where Taylor comes in.

The Cape Girardeau native serves as director of the governor's security division, a branch of the Missouri State Highway Patrol where he is a lieutenant.

With a team of nine officers, Taylor is responsible for the security of the governor and his family.

Taylor has provided security for former Govs. Christopher Bond, Joe Teasdale and John Ashcroft, and current governor, Mel Carnahan.

On election night in 1992, Taylor was assigned to the St. Louis hotel where Carnahan was watching election returns.

When it became apparent Carnahan was going to win, Taylor moved in. At some point in the evening, Taylor recalled introducing himself to Carnahan, but his job wasn't to make a new friend or share in the joy of election-night victory. His job was to provide protection for the governor-elect and his family.

"One of the cardinal rules we have is don't get politically involved because that is not what your function is," Taylor said. "Our job is to provide service and protection to the governor and his immediate family.

Many times, a member of the security detail travels alone with the governor. Although there are occasional conversations -- usually about sports or the weather -- Taylor said the job of security people is very specific.

"Our rule is not to initiate conversation unless it relates to safety," Taylor said. "The governor has his mind on state business and I should not do anything to distract him from that. It is not the governor's job to keep the detail at arm's length. It is up to the detail to keep it on a professional basis."

Carnahan has a high regard for Taylor and his staff, and is quick to praise their professionalism.

"Tom Taylor is the consummate professional," Carnahan said. "He does an outstanding job with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and specifically the governor's security unit. The members of his team take their jobs very seriously and perform them in an exemplary manner. These efforts are a direct result of Tom's leadership."

One of the security functions the detail provides many times is driving the governor. When Carnahan flies to another part of the state, a member of the detail will sometimes drive ahead to meet him or a highway patrolman will be on hand to drive.

Ultimately, who drives the governor at a particular place or who rides in the car is the governor's decision. But for the most part, the security detail drives.

Not only does it ensure the governor has a safe driver, but the patrol car is equipped with the communications system he needs to stay in touch. The security detail is also well trained in first aid and can deal with any medical emergency.

Security personnel have an opportunity to see governors and their families in the best of times, and the worst of times. But as professionals, Taylor said they recognize the need to respect the privacy of the governor and his family.

Internally, that right for privacy is referred to as the "Blue Ring," which means anything seen or heard in close proximity to the governor is not to be repeated.

"That is because you are in a position of trust," Taylor said. "Tight protection can exist with a minimum amount of intrusion, if a positive relationship exists."

The main security post is in the governor's mansion and someone from the unit is on duty around the clock.

Taylor, in 1976, was working the evening shift when Kit Bond unexpectedly lost his re-election bid. Late that night, the stunned Bond had returned to the mansion and wandered into the kitchen where Taylor was sitting. He and Bond were alone.

"I remember that very well," Taylor said. "It was kind of a sad evening. He talked about how much he enjoyed working with us and how much he would miss the people in the detail."

Bond ultimately returned as governor four years later, but Taylor was gone and didn't return to the unit until 1985 when Ashcroft took office.

Taylor, 43, and his wife, Diane, are both natives of Cape Girardeau and graduated from Cape Central High School in 1969. Both have family still living in Cape Girardeau, including their parents: Taylor is the son of Robert and Pauline Taylor, and she is the daughter of Galvin and Earleen Dillingham.

Taylor, a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, started with the highway patrol in 1972. After working in Liberty, he became interested in a recently organized security detail of the highway patrol. His cousin, Jack Taylor, worked for the Secret Service and because of that he was intrigued by the security idea.

Within two weeks of volunteering, Taylor was assigned to Bond in August 1984. He remained with Teasdale for about a year and then transferred to Cape Girardeau as a trooper. He lived in Cape Girardeau for four years, and then transferred to Portageville after receiving a promotion to corporal in 1981.

Taylor hasn't regretted his decision to return to the security unit, and points out it has given him many unique experiences. He has traveled across the country with governors, and works closely with the Secret Service when the president makes visits to the state.

"One of the interesting points about the job is that I have been in arm's length of every president since President Ford," Taylor said.

He has lost track of the number of times he has been at the White House.

Taylor, however, clearly remembers the last time he was there. In January, the National Governor's Association met in Washington and held meetings at the White House.

He is serving his second year as president of the National Governor's Security Association, which is made up of members of governor security details around the country. In that role, Taylor ran the command post of security for the governors, working closely with the Secret Service and Capitol Police.

It was a high profile event and tight security was essential. Taylor found himself in a position of awesome responsibility, yet one that would draw little attention if done right.

"It requires prior planning and to always stay alert," Taylor said. "You don't know what is going to happen. Things can change very rapidly."

From his work with the national association, Taylor has learned that risks for public officials, especially governors, has been increasing. Security officials are sharing information and working together.

They also assist each other when governors travel to other states.

"Threat management is a lot like weather forecasting. A meteorologist can see where the jet stream is and from past experiences can predict what is likely to happen," Taylor said.

In only 5 percent of the cases where officials have been attacked, have threats been made first.

Security people also fear "copy cats" where attacks are made and others see it can be done and attempt acts of violence.

A combination of good training, respect from the governor for the security detail, advance planning, and always being alert go a long way on any security effort, Taylor said.

"Ideally, if everything is done right, nothing will happen," he said. "But there is no such thing as 100 percent security."

Taylor is proud of his unit and hopes to continue his current job at least a few more years.

"I am not aware of any protective detail in the nation that has a better relationship with a governor than this one," he said.

The hours are sometimes long and hard with little time for breaks, and the responsibilities are awesome. But Taylor thrives on the challenges and work.

"It is not as much fun as people might think it is, but it is interesting," he said.