Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Nichol was killed when a ladder fell and struck him in the head while he was assisting at a fire scene.
Patrolman Nichol was off-duty and visiting friends when he noticed a Church on fire on West 13th Street. He rushed to the scene and was helping another patrolman with crowd control when one of the 400-pound ladders the New York City Fire Department was using came loose from the side of the building and fell. Patrolman Nichol was able to move several people out of the way before the ladder fell and struck him on the head. His skull was fractured, and he died soon after from the injury.
Patrolman Nichol served with the New York Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 24th Precinct.
Survivors
He was survived by his brother and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-77444E6D- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Robert. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Nichol gave the New York Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert Nichol 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Nichol's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Nichol Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Nichol is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
