National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Police Officer

Memorial Panel: 58-W: 25

Department: New York City, New York, P.D.

End of Watch: May 1, 1892

Cause: CRUSH

Age: 23

Years of Service: 1

Description: Officer Nichol was off-duty when he noticed smoke coming from a church. Three firemen had climbed a ladder to gain access to the roof but the wall collapsed, sending the firemen and the ladder falling into the crowd. Officer Nichol ran towards a group of people, who were eagerly crowded close to the building, calling out to them to move back. Officer Nichol put up his hands and deflected some of the force of the ladder. But by doing so, he bore the brunt of the weight of the ladder, saving the lives of several people but at a cost to himself. The ladder struck him on the head and he died of a fractured skull.