Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Nicholson and Patrolman William Barnett were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance in North Lakeland. The two officers were struggling with two men when they shot and killed both officers. Other officers arrived at the scene and took both men into custody. It was later determined that both suspects used the same gun and each killed one officer. Both suspects, 21 and 66, were convicted of Patrolman Nicholson's and Patrolman Barnett's murder and sentenced to death. Both appealed and were granted new trials. The older suspect was again convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He applied for a pardon on February 7, 1936. At the other suspect's second trial a witness said he saw him with a pistol but said he never actually saw him shoot Patrolman Barnett. Several other witnesses testified that he told them that he did kill Patrolman Barnett. He was acquitted. The jury said there was not enough evidence for a conviction. On June 13, 1934, he was arrested for carrying concealed weapons and was in a very intoxicated condition. Because of other recent problems with him, the state sanity commission declared him insane an he was committed at the Tallahassee State Mental Hospital. He escaped from the Chattahoochee Mental Hospital along with another inmate on July 12, 1942. Both robbed and beat a man, 41, to death in Levy County, Florida, and were recaptured. Both were arrested along with his wife and another couple in Orlando. He admitted to the murder and then admitted to four unsolved murders in Miami which he was charged with. He was declared sane and executed in the electric chair on November 22, 1943.
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- 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.
Patrolman Nicholson served with the Lakeland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nicholson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Thomas Alonzo Nicholson is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lakeland Police Department, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Alonzo Nicholson's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Alonzo Nicholson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Alonzo Nicholson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Alonzo Nicholson was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lakeland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
