Roll of Honor
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
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Lawrence Nichols 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 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Lawrence Nichols's cause is highlighted.
How William Lawrence Nichols Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Lawrence Nichols is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Lawrence Nichols was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Miami Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
