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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
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- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jackson Police Department has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 415 officers killed feloniously in MI, 59% of the 703 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1978, 1 officer at Jackson Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 1 officer in MI was killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 124 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 14.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 44. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Jackson Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 37.3; the middle age was 33.5. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 12.5 years.
William was 44. Of the 400 killed feloniously in MI whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 42; the middle age was 35. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 44. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Jackson Police Department; March holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 20%.
April holds 5.3% of these deaths in MI; December holds the most, 12.3%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Jackson Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 703 deaths in MI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 31.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Jackson Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Jackson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
