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Incident
Police Officer Nicholas Galinger was struck and killed by a vehicle in the 2900 block of Hamill Road at 11:00 pm.
He was checking a manhole cover that had water overflowing from it when he was struck. Officer Galinger was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
The vehicle fled the scene after striking him. The driver turned herself in two days later after being added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Top 10 Most Wanted List. She was charged with vehicular homicide. On September 25th, 2021, she was convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication and seven other counts related to the crash. She was subsequently sentenced to 11 years in prison on February 7th, 2022.
Officer Galinger had just graduated from the police academy in January 2019 and was in field training at the time he was struck.
Survivors
He is survived by his son, daughter, parents, two sisters, two brothers, two grandmothers, and other relatives.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Galinger served with the Chattanooga Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Galinger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chattanooga Police Department has lost 27 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Nicholas is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Nicholas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nicholas 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 2019, 1 officer at Chattanooga Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 17 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 2.
In 2019, 4 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 2019, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2019, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nicholas was 38. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Chattanooga Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 41; the middle age was 35. Nicholas had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Nicholas was 38. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. Nicholas had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Nicholas was 38. 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. Nicholas had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nicholas had served 0.1 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.3% of these deaths at Chattanooga Police Department; June holds the most, 15.8%. Sundays: 26.3%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 70.4% of all 27 deaths at Chattanooga Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1.6% 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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chattanooga Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Nicholas among them.
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Jonathan Merriman May 14, 1870
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James B. Wiggins Apr 28, 1879
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David C. Musgrove Dec 19, 1890
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Hugh Clark May
Sep 15, 1906
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Thomas Obadiah Musgrove Oct 31, 1906
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Clarence Livingston
Sep 1, 1912
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Carl Whitely Oct 10, 1918
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Paul Brown Oct 12, 1918
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James W. Duggan Jun 22, 1921
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James H. Cornett
Nov 4, 1931
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Jesse G. Shirley
Nov 8, 1931
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Walter J. Mashburn Jul 16, 1932
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Clyde J. Shipley
Dec 26, 1939
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Arlie E. Carr
Oct 27, 1942
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Ulysses Jackson
Sep 27, 1952
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Harry Thomas Shipley
Oct 4, 1953
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Morris Bertram Glenn
Apr 7, 1971
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Clarence E. Hamler
Aug 14, 1977
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Nelson I. Hess, V
Jun 12, 1978
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David L. Friederichsen
Jun 18, 1978
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Harry Wilcox Jan 18, 1979
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Richard Cartell Alexander
Oct 5, 2000
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Julie Rochelle Jacks
May 6, 2002
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James Timothy Chapin
Apr 2, 2011
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Nicholas Scott Galinger
Feb 24, 2019
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Joseph Brian Montijo
Nov 1, 2019
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James Michael Russ
Dec 2, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
