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Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Nichols drowned while attempting to save his son from a rip current near Sandestin, Walton County, Florida.
He was able to get his son to safety but was swept back away from shore. His body was recovered a short time later.
Deputy Nichols had served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office for 10 years and served as the agency's Search and Rescue director.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Nichols gave the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nichols.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
William is one of 89 officers lost to accidents in MS, 25.4% of the 350 remembered there.
William is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2020, 2 officers in MS were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 64 years on record. The heaviest was 1989, with 4.
In 2020, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2020, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
William was 33. Of the 83 lost to accidents in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 52; the middle age was 43. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
William was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. William had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.4% of these deaths in MS; May holds the most, 16.9%. Wednesdays: 13.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.6%.
How
Accident deaths account for 20% of all 10 deaths at DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 25.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William C. Cooper May 18, 1898
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Henry R. Campbell May 18, 1898
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Carter I. Jones May 18, 1898
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William P. Harris
Nov 25, 1912
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Robert E. Dodson
Dec 16, 1936
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Larry Cox
Jun 26, 1970
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Larkin V. Pettit Mar 8, 1981
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Gregory Floyd Medlin
Nov 2, 2003
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Paul A. LeBlanc, Jr.
Dec 7, 2007
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William K. Nichols
Jul 22, 2020
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
