Mother texts police cadet son killed in a car chase - and gets reply from police

The 21-year-old's mother said she was trying to cope with her loss

Carole Adler and her son Taylor Thyfault, who was training to be in the Colorado State Patrol (YouTube, USA Today)

A mother whose son was killed while training in the police force sent texts to his phone to deal with her grief - only then to receive one back.

Carole Adler's son, Taylor Thyfault, died when a getaway driver crashed into him during his state police cadet training in Colorado, according to USA Today.

Taylor and his mother were regularly in touch via text. a few weeks after his death she messaged him to say she missed and loved him.

After a few such texts, she received a reply.

"I'm with the Greeley Police Department, and I don't think your texts are going where you think they are," the response said.

It was from Sergeant Kell Hulsey, a policeman with the Greeley Police Department who had been given Taylor's old phone number.

Although he offered to get a new phone, Ms Adler asked him to keep the number because he was doing the job her son had dreamed of.

Sergeant Hulsey told USA Today that Ms Adler's description of Taylor had resonated with him.

"He's eager. He's excited, and he's willing to do a job that can sometimes be really unthankful," said Sergeant Hulsey. "He is still trying to make a difference".

The 21-year-old had previously listed his life goals, which are shown here:

1. Join the Army and be the best that I can be

2. Go bungee jumping

3. Get married

4. Start a family

5. Buy an English Bull Dog and name him Diesel

6. Swim with sharks

7. Visit Hawaii

8. Visit the tribe I am from (Saquangue Lakota Oyate)

9. Save a life

10. Coach a Lacrosse team

11. Graduate high school

12. Get a masters part time in the military

13. Get a job

14. Buy my own truck

15. Wrestle an alligator

16. Meet the 'Jackass' crew

17. Buy my Quad

18. Play football for a minor league

19. Go cliff diving

20. Volunteer in the community

21. Go to Alaska

22. Be there for all of the people that have been there for me

23. Never be arrested

24. Go to Oktoberfest in Germany

25. Be the best man, husband, son, soldier, and friend as ... possible.

By the time of his death he was already an Army veteran, and immediately before dying had warned somebody off the road before the crash.

The man, who was a truck driver, said the warning had saved his life. His mother said her son would do it again if given the choice.