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Incident
Patrolman Thomas Nicholson and Patrolman William Barnett were shot and killed after they responded to a domestic disturbance in North Lakeland. The two officers were struggling with two men when they shot and killed both officers. Other officers arrived at the scene and took both men into custody. It was later determined that both suspects used the same gun and each killed one officer. Both suspects, 21 and 66, were convicted of Patrolman Nicholson's and Patrolman Barnett's murder and sentenced to death. Both appealed and were granted new trials. The older suspect was again convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He applied for a pardon on February 7, 1936. At the other suspect's second trial a witness said he saw him with a pistol but said he never actually saw him shoot Patrolman Barnett. Several other witnesses testified that he told them that he did kill Patrolman Barnett. He was acquitted. The jury said there was not enough evidence for a conviction. On June 13, 1934, he was arrested for carrying concealed weapons and was in a very intoxicated condition. Because of other recent problems with him, the state sanity commission declared him insane an he was committed at the Tallahassee State Mental Hospital. He escaped from the Chattahoochee Mental Hospital along with another inmate on July 12, 1942. Both robbed and beat a man, 41, to death in Levy County, Florida, and were recaptured. Both were arrested along with his wife and another couple in Orlando. He admitted to the murder and then admitted to four unsolved murders in Miami which he was charged with. He was declared sane and executed in the electric chair on November 22, 1943.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Nicholson served with the Lakeland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lakeland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nicholson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lakeland Police Department has lost 6 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas 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 1932, 5 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 6 deaths at Lakeland Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lakeland Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Lakeland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
