Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Nick O'Rear was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit on I-65 near Old U.S. Highway 31 at about 10:00 pm.
An officer with the Warrior Police Department had initiated the pursuit when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Officer O'Rear responded to assist in the pursuit when the man opened fire, striking him. Officer O'Rear's vehicle then crashed nearby. He was transported to UAB Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds at 1:15 am.
The driver fled into Jefferson County, where he was taken into custody and subsequently charged with capital murder. In 2022, the subject pleaded guilty to intentional murder to avoid the death penalty.
Officer O'Rear had served with the Kimberly Police Department for one year and had previously served with the Ashville Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his two children, with a third child on the way.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-109DC1D9- 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.
Police Officer O'Rear gave the Kimberly Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kimberly community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer O'Rear.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Nicholas Daniel O'Rear 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nicholas Daniel O'Rear's cause is highlighted.
How Nicholas Daniel O'Rear Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with capital murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nicholas Daniel O'Rear is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nicholas Daniel O'Rear was killed by gun; unknown type.