William Lawrence Nichols

Miami Beach Police Department — Miami Beach, FL

Felonious

End of Watch February 4, 1936

Age 53

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 71 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 9

Incident

Police Officer William Nichols succumbed to injuries sustained three days earlier while directing traffic at an accident scene on the County Causeway (Road A1A). He and another officer were crushed between an ambulance and an automobile. The other officer suffered critical injuries. The woman who struck them was charged with manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, and reckless driving. Officer Nichols had served with the Miami Beach Police Department for 11 years. He had previously served with the Savannah Police Department and Charleston Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, daughter, son, sister, two brothers, and three grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-8B71A9D1
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 Nichols gave the Miami Beach Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Nichols.

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

Agency

Department Miami Beach Police Department

Location Miami Beach, FL

Platform Identity mbpd.miamidade.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 4, 1936

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Age 53

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Charged with manslaughter

Police Officer William Lawrence Nichols 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 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 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Miami Beach Police Department, 4 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.

Miami Beach Police Department

of 10 officers

40% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious