Schwarzenegger secure with Cape man on duty

In the movies, action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger needs no protection. But Cape Girardeau residents following the California gubernatorial recall campaign on the nightly news may have noticed a familiar face watching the Terminator's back.

Tom Taylor of Cape Girardeau served on Schwarzenegger's security detail during the actor-turned-Republican politician's successful effort to replace unpopular Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.

Protecting public figures is something Taylor has ample experience doing. During a 30-year career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Taylor served on the security details of four Missouri governors, most recently Mel Carnahan.

Taylor couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. A family member said Taylor had hoped to avoid drawing much attention to his role working for Schwarzenegger. He is expected to return home this weekend.

Taylor was a member of Cape Girardeau Central High School's class of 1969 and also graduated from Southeast Missouri State University.

He joined the highway patrol in 1972 and volunteered for Republican Gov. Kit Bond's security contingent in 1974. Taylor continued to serve under Bond's replacement, Democratic Gov. Joe Teasdale, for about a year before transferring to his hometown in 1977 to work as a trooper.

He returned to the security unit in 1985 during the administration of Republican Gov. John Ashcroft. He was promoted to officer in charge of the security division in 1989.

Taylor left the division in 1997 while Carnahan was in office. He transferred to the patrol's drug and crime control division, where he remained until retiring in July 2002 with the rank of lieutenant.

After years living in Jefferson City, Taylor and his wife, Diane, moved back to Cape Girardeau last year.