Prev
George Danny Nash Jr.
Incident
Trooper Nash was shot and killed after stopping a speeding vehicle driven by an escaped convict. Trooper Nash stopped the vehicle on Highway 84 for doing 67 in a 55 mile per hour zone. The car was stolen, and the driver and passenger were convicts who had escaped from the Dooley County Jail in Georgia on January 12, 1983. When Trooper Nash approached the vehicle, he was shot at point-blank range in the chest, but Trooper Nash was wearing his vest, and the bullet was stopped. However, Trooper Nash stumbled back towards his patrol car and fell to the pavement from the force of the gunshot. The driver exited and walked up to Trooper Nash and shot him once more in the head, killing him instantly. Trooper Nash's gun was still holstered when a civilian found him lying just in front of his patrol car. Both were apprehended in May of 1983. One, 36, was apprehended in Jackson, Tennessee, and the other, 34, in Hardin County, Kentucky. On August 19, 1983, the shooter, 34 was sentenced to life without parole. On October 12, 1983, the other escapee was sentenced to life without parole. As of December 4, 2022, both were still in prison. Trooper Nash had served as a trooper with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol for just three months and was assigned to Troop M in Brookhaven. Prior to becoming a trooper, he served as a radio operator for Troop J in Hattiesburg. He is survived by his parents, brother, sister, and fiancée. A section of Highway 84 in Franklin County was dedicated in Trooper Nash's memory.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, brother, sister, and fiancée.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpmve8nwvmbqsd06x3kr- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew George. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Nash served with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Nash.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has lost 28 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
George is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
George is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
George is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1983, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
George was 23. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 37; the middle age was 34. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 2.5 years.
George was 23. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
George was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. George had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 30% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
February holds 9.1% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Fridays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 35.7% of all 28 deaths at Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol has 28 officers remembered here, George among them.
-
Adrian Cole
Sep 8, 1940
-
Loma Laine Dyess
Oct 27, 1942
-
James Mortimer Barry
Feb 1, 1947
-
Cyril J. Reichert
Feb 5, 1947
-
James H. Tingle
Sep 7, 1950
-
Herbert E. Nixon
Apr 22, 1951
-
Carl M. Thach
Jan 15, 1954
-
Walter W. Smith
Sep 22, 1955
-
Hurfu L. Duckworth
Aug 19, 1959
-
Daniel E. Smith
Nov 7, 1959
-
Julian Davis
Nov 27, 1963
-
Marcus Lamastus
Jul 17, 1965
-
Joseph A. Pol
Nov 27, 1965
-
Tommy E. Kendall
May 16, 1966
-
William Kenny
Dec 21, 1967
-
William O. Swindoll
Oct 5, 1968
-
Joe Clay
May 27, 1974
-
Billy M. Langham
Dec 31, 1981
-
George Danny Nash, Jr.
Feb 4, 1983
-
Steven K. Gardner
Mar 23, 1984
-
James Kenneth Bounds
Oct 21, 1984
-
David Bruce Ladner
Apr 12, 1987
-
Ralph R. Newell
Oct 28, 1988
-
Tommie Earl Owens
Jul 28, 1989
-
Bobby L. Wells, Jr.
Jun 27, 1995
-
Paul Denham, III
Dec 27, 1999
-
Steve Loy Hood
May 29, 2009
-
John Martin Harris
May 28, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
27 officers from Mississippi Department of Public Safety - Mississippi Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
