Citizen’s Effort Brings Closure to Fallen Officers Cemetery Marker

TYLER — A law officer’s missing cemetery marker has been returned to its gravesite, thanks to the efforts of a citizen. Tyler police say in May of this year a veteran’s cemetery marker was found at a residence that was being renovated by a new homeowner. Upon finding the marker the homeowner did some research and determined that the marker belonged to a Milus (Mike) Nichol, who died in the line of duty on October 12, 1962, while serving with the Tyler Police Department.

Several news stories were aired in an attempt to locate family members of the Nichol family. With great success, police say, they were able to locate all of his surviving family and advise them of the found cemetery marker. Police located Officer Nichol’s cemetery plot at Tyler Memorial Cemetery and saw a marker matching his mother and father’s marker next to him. The marker found was a veterans of war marker displaying that he served in the Navy. After further investigation it was determined that this marker would have to be replaced back at the burial site or be returned to the Veterans Administration.

An anonymous citizen said, “It was simply on my heart the moment I heard the update and knew I had to try to make things come together to do the right thing.” Police say he stepped up and felt so strongly about returning the marker back to its rightful place that he got involved by contacting the person who found it, family of Milus Nichol for approval, Austin Memorial for a marker stone, and Tyler Memorial Cemetery for assistance with fees and logistics. Due to this citizen’s due diligence and efforts, the veterans marker was placed at the foot of Officer Milus Nichol’s grave site, according to police. According to a news release, “The Tyler Police Department would like to say ‘job well done’ and a sincere thank you to all involved in making this happen.”