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
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Worth Police Department has lost 59 officers; 33 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John 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 1906, 1 officer at Fort Worth Police Department was killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 3.
In 1906, 6 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
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.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 43. Of the 32 killed feloniously at Fort Worth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.5. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 43. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
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.
John was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 24.2% of these deaths at Fort Worth Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.2%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.9% of all 59 deaths at Fort Worth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% 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
Fort Worth Police Department has 59 officers remembered here, John among them.
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C. Lee Waller
Jun 30, 1892
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Andrew J. Grimes
May 12, 1902
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John D. Nichols, Jr.
Dec 22, 1906
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William Addison Campbell
Aug 12, 1909
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James R. Dodd
Jan 27, 1912
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John A. Ogletree
May 15, 1913
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R. P. Hollowell
Dec 26, 1914
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G. Frank Coffey
Jun 26, 1915
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Peter Howard
Aug 16, 1915
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George Francis Conant
Oct 27, 1916
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Charles Edward Parsley
Sep 28, 1917
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Sterling Price Warren
May 7, 1919
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George G. Gresham
Apr 8, 1920
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Jeff C. Couch
Dec 20, 1920
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John D. Bell
Aug 13, 1921
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Webster C. Gentry
Apr 25, 1922
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Lewis J. Lewis, Jr.
Mar 7, 1923
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Bertram F. Brewster
Jan 13, 1925
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Frank Maco
Dec 23, 1926
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George Turner
May 20, 1928
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Joe V. Graham
May 10, 1935
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G. Parker Driskill
Nov 11, 1935
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William J. Courtney
Mar 24, 1938
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Thomas C. Bounds
Dec 9, 1938
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Marshall C. Kennedy
Jul 16, 1941
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Walton Odell Whatley, Jr.
Aug 2, 1949
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Henry E. Cleveland
Feb 7, 1952
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Charles W. Hoffman
Jun 17, 1952
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Namon L. Cox, Jr.
Jun 20, 1952
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Marvin Elton Wills, Sr.
Dec 25, 1955
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James L. Dowdy, Jr.
Jun 17, 1956
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Claude H. Harmon, Jr.
Oct 16, 1957
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Loy H. Walton
May 20, 1959
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Thaddeaus James Stevenson
Oct 25, 1961
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Jesse Montgomery
Feb 3, 1968
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Hal Clovis Stephenson
Oct 2, 1968
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Edward M. Belcher
Oct 29, 1971
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William Vernon Welch
May 21, 1973
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Henry Paul Mailloux
Nov 29, 1975
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Ludwig Bruno
Mar 2, 1977
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Randall Lynn Fletcher
Aug 31, 1977
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Jesse R. Parris
Sep 6, 1977
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Jimmie F. Chadwell
Dec 11, 1978
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Ronald G. Turner
Dec 20, 1978
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James Curtiss Gaul
Jan 10, 1979
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Kenneth Wayne Pendergraft
Apr 8, 1980
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Darrell Gene Moon
Jul 14, 1980
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Robert F. Camfield
Nov 19, 1983
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Walter Stephen Taylor
Oct 5, 1988
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Brent David Wisdom
Sep 2, 1992
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Donald James Manning
Jun 27, 1993
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Alan Frederick Chick
Dec 27, 1993
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Jesse Don Moorman
Mar 31, 1994
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Henry Nava, Jr.
Dec 1, 2005
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Dwayne N. Freeto
Dec 17, 2006
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Garrett Willis Hull
Sep 14, 2018
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Eric Gonzales
Jul 5, 2020
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Jon Arden Jenson
Oct 28, 2023
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Billy Randolph
Aug 12, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
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