Aurora Man Gets 3 Years In Prison For Assaulting Police Officer

Paul Sherrod Taylor, a 32-year-old Aurora man, was sentenced Friday to 3 years in prison for assaulting a police officer during a routine traffic stop.

On January 23, 2024, Judge Alice Tracy found Paul Sherrod Taylor guilty of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, a Class 2 felony; Threatening a Public Official, a Class 3 Felony; Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a Class 4 Felony; and Resisting a Peace Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor.

On June 21, 2021, Officer J. Miranda of the Aurora Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a silver Toyota Camry after observing it disobey a stop sign. The vehicle was driven by Paul Sherrod Taylor and his sisters, Jennifer M. Taylor and Sheba A. Taylor, were also inside the vehicle. After pulling into a private driveway, Officer Miranda approached the driver. Within seconds, Sheba Taylor exited the vehicle and refused to get back into the vehicle despite being lawfully ordered to do so by Officer Miranda. Sherrod Taylor then exited the vehicle, aggressively approached and threatened the officer.

Officer Miranda then ordered Sherrod Taylor to get back into the vehicle which he refused to do.

Officer Miranda then attempted to place Sherrod Taylor in handcuffs for obstruction of a peace officer when Sherrod Taylor shoved him and fled. Officer Miranda quickly became engaged in a foot pursuit with Sherrod Taylor. At some point, Sherrod Taylor stopped, turned around and aggressively faced off with the officer by putting up his fists and commencing a fighting stance while yelling at the officer to “keep running, boy.”

Officer Miranda decided not to engage with Sherrod Taylor until back-up officers would arrive. As Officer Miranda turned to walk towards his squad car, he was met by Jennifer and Sheba Taylor who attacked him. As Officer Miranda attempted to gain control over Sheba Taylor to effectuate the arrest of her for obstruction of a peace officer, both sisters actively resisted the officer and struck him repeatedly.

While the sisters attacked the officer, Sherrod Taylor called 911 and threatened Officer Miranda to a 911 Dispatcher, stating multiple times that he would “kill” the officer unless police arrived immediately. Additionally, he could be heard on the 911 call repeatedly screaming to Officer Miranda “I’m going to kill you bitch.”

Aurora officers arrived on the scene within minutes where they observed Sheba Taylor sitting on Officer Miranda’s chest and neck while simultaneously being held down by Jennifer Taylor. The sisters had to be physically removed from Officer Miranda’s body by other Aurora police officers.

Jennifer M. Taylor and Sheba A. Taylor were each sentenced to 120 days of imprisonment in the Kane County jail, 200 hours of community service, and 4 years of probation in April of this year.

In accordance with Illinois law, Paul Sherrod Taylor is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. Taylor must pay all appropriate fines, fees, and costs, and he receives credit for 3 days served in the Kane County jail.

“Judge Tracy’s sentencing decision serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that result from violent actions against law enforcement officers who are just trying to do their jobs,” Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said in a statement. “It is fitting that the defendant faces the consequences of his actions with incarceration. This decision underscores the importance of upholding the law and respecting those who serve and protect our communities.

“I extend my gratitude to Officer Miranda and the Aurora Police Department for their unwavering commitment to public safety. What should have been a simple traffic ticket ended up in a prison sentence for this defendant based on his poor choice. Hopefully he will spend every day in prison thinking about the choice he made that day.”