John D. Nichols Jr.
Agency patch
Special Officer

John D. Nichols Jr.

Fort Worth Police Department — Fort Worth, TX
Felonious
End of Watch December 22, 1906
Age 43
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 21 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Officer Nichols was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance at a local theater concerning the price of a ticket.

While talking to the customer, the man pulled out a handgun and struck Officer Nichols on the head. As Officer Nichols fell, the suspect began firing, striking him. Officer Nichols was able to return fire, causing a fatal wound to the suspect. Officer Nichols was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

Officer Nichols had served with the Fort Worth Police Department for two years.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Special Officer Nichols gave the Fort Worth Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Worth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Nichols.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Fort Worth, Denton County, TX
Platform Identity fwpd.tarrant.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 22, 1906
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 43
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 43. 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. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Fort Worth Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, John among them.

Across the years

Special Officer John D. Nichols Jr.

Fort Worth Police Department · End of Watch December 22, 1906

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E

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