Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant James Nixon was shot and killed during a traffic stop at West Berry Road and US 127 at 1:30 am. After making contact with the driver, Lieutenant Nixon returned to his patrol car to radio in the information. As he sat in his car, the driver of the truck exited and opened fire with a .44 caliber revolver, killing him. The suspect was arrested hiding in a ditch a half-mile from the shooting scene. It was determined that the truck, trailer, and bulldozer had been stolen. The man was convicted of murdering Lieutenant Nixon and sentenced to life in prison. Lieutenant Nixon had served 23 years with the Jackson Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-3FF849FD- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Nixon gave the Jackson Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Nixon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant William James Nixon 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 MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Jackson Police Department, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William James Nixon's cause is highlighted.
How William James Nixon Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William James Nixon is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William James Nixon was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
