On Monday, June 6, 1955, at 7:28 PM, the Waycross Fire Department suffered a tragic loss. At the intersection of Tebeau Street and Brunswick Avenue, while responding to a call to 1210 Fair Street, the fire engine that Captain Claude Edsel Taylor was on was hit by Atlantic Coastline Passenger Train #17. Captain Taylor was reported to have been riding on the right running board of the fire engine. He suffered major injuries and was taken to the hospital where he died Wednesday morning, June 8, 1955. He was 27 years old.

Captain Taylor had been with the Waycross Fire Department for 5 years and served as Captain for 1 year. He graduated from Wacona High School in 1947. After graduation he served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1949. Captain Taylor organized the first Boy Scout troop in his home community of Waresboro. He was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery.