On-duty DPS officer killed after crashing into tree

LAMAR COUNTY – A Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol trooper died in a crash while on patrol Saturday night.

Police said, Jeffery Nichols, 27, was westbound on FM 38 in Lamar County when he lost control of his patrol car about 11 p.m. and crashed into a tree. The accident was reported by passing motorists. He died at the scene.

“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.”

Nichols had over four years of service and was stationed in Paris, which is about 100 miles north of Dallas. He is the 218th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1837. Texas DPS spokesman Tom Vinger said Sunday that Trooper Jeffrey Nichols is the first state trooper to die on duty in 2016.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.