Duty Death: Jeffrey Nichols - [Tigertown]
End of Service: 27/03/2016
Associated Press
TIGERTOWN, Texas — Authorities say a state trooper has died on patrol after crashing his car into a tree in North Texas.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Tom Vinger said Sunday that Trooper Jeffrey Nichols is the first state trooper to die on duty in 2016. The department says the 27-year-old trooper lost control of his patrol car late Saturday night in rural Lamar County and died at the scene.
No other vehicles were involved and the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Nichols joined DPS in 2011 and was stationed in the town of Paris, which is about 100 miles north of Dallas.
DPS Director Steve McCraw says the department’s thoughts and prayers are with Nichols’ family.
Statement from the Texas Department of Public Safety
AUSTIN - A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Highway Patrol Trooper died in a one-vehicle crash while on patrol Saturday night in Lamar County.
At approximately 10:57 p.m. Saturday, Trooper Jeffrey Nichols, 27, was driving westbound on FM 38, when he lost control of his patrol car and crashed into a tree. Trooper Nichols died at the scene, and the exact cause of the crash is under investigation. The incident took place about one half mile north of County Road 35450 near Tigertown, and was reported to authorities by passing motorists.
“DPS and the State of Texas have lost one of our finest in the line of duty,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Every day Trooper Nichols honored his pledge to proudly protect the people of Texas, and his service and sacrifice will always be cherished and remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”
Trooper Nichols joined DPS in August of 2011 and was stationed in Paris. He is the 218th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1837. He is survived by his parents and loving family. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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