Incident
Town Marshal Henry Nixon succumbed to knife wounds sustained eleven days earlier when he responded to a domestic disturbance.
When Marshal Nixon arrived at the home, he was confronted by three brothers who attacked him, stabbing him more than forty-two times. Marshal Nixon escaped by pulling out of his coat and leaving the jacket in their hands. He fled to his home, where he succumbed to his injuries eleven days later.
One brother was immediately apprehended. In October of 1923 he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on December 27, 1933. On April 18, 1923, his two brothers were captured near their home in a small building they had been living in ever since the incident. In June of 1923 both were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. They were both paroled on September 21, 1932.
Marshal Nixon had served in law enforcement for at least six years and had served as the City Marshal of Mt. Airy.
When Marshal Nixon arrived at the home, he was confronted by three brothers who attacked him, stabbing him more than forty-two times. Marshal Nixon escaped by pulling out of his coat and leaving the jacket in their hands. He fled to his home, where he succumbed to his injuries eleven days later.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtr02k8xg9e7aqn3sn6pd- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Henry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Town Marshal Nixon gave the Mount Airy Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mount Airy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Nixon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mount Airy Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1922, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 33. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 33. 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. Henry had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Mount Airy Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.9% 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 edged weapon; knife, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon; knife, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Mount Airy Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 45-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mount Airy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

