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Incident
Police Officer Nick Armstrong and Police Officer J. Ryan McCandless were shot and killed as they and another officer questioned four suspicious subjects at the intersection of East Anamosa and Greenbriar Streets at about 4:30 p.m.
After several minutes a male subject in the group pulled out a concealed handgun and opened fire, striking all three officers before being wounded by return fire. The subject was shot and fatally wounded.
All three officers were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Officer McCandless was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, and Officer Nick Armstrong succumbed to his wounds five days later.
Officer Armstrong had served with the Rapid City Police Department for two years and was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit. He had previously served two years with the Spearfish Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, two brothers, grandmother, and cousins.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Armstrong gave the Rapid City Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rapid City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Armstrong.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rapid City Police Department has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Nicholas is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2011, 2 officers at Rapid City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 3 officers in SD were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nicholas was 27. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Rapid City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 24.8 and 27.3; the middle age was 26. Nicholas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Nicholas was 27. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Nicholas had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Nicholas was 27. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nicholas was 27. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 40% of these deaths at Rapid City Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
August holds 5.4% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Saturdays: 8.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Rapid City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.8% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Rapid City Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Nicholas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rapid City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
