John D. Nichols, Jr.

Fort Worth Police Dept. — Fort Worth, TX

Felonious

End of Watch December 22, 1906

Age 43

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 21 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 58

Incident

Special Officer Nichols was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a local theater concerning the price of a ticket.

While talking to the customer, the man pulled out a handgun and struck Officer Nichols on the head. As Officer Nichols fell, the suspect began firing, striking him. Officer Nichols was able to return fire, causing a fatal wound to the suspect. Officer Nichols was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

Officer Nichols had served with the Fort Worth Police Department for two years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-TX-4422E849
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Nichols gave the Fort Worth Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Nichols.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Fort Worth Police Dept.

Location Fort Worth, TX

Platform Identity fwpd.tarrant.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 22, 1906

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 43

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Special Officer John D. Nichols, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Fort Worth Police Dept., 33 of 59 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this agency's fallen.

Fort Worth Police Dept.

of 59 officers

55.9% Felonious

TX — Statewide

1,463

of 2,421 officers

60.4% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious