Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our heartbreaking anniversary.
We will be unveiling a display of you tonight at the Greenwood Lake American Legion.
It is a proper setting where you will be in the company of other Men of Honor who made the ultimate sacrifice for God, Country and Community.
Tonight, we toast your Life... until we drink together once again.
They say "A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed."
If that is the case, then the deeds of your amazing life should be spoken-of for generations.
Aiteam.
Semper Fidelis
Fidelis ad Mortem

Chief of Police John William Trazino
Tuxedo, NY Police Department/ Brother & Friend

December 6, 2023

I wish I got the chance to meet you at least once.

You will never be forgotten.

Caitlin
Friend

July 11, 2023

Thinking of you.

Kristen Stamm
Friend

December 6, 2022

It is another year that we will gather in your Honor.
Through all of the anger and sadness, every single one of us have a wish of "one more".
I wish to share one more laugh with you at home in Greenwood Lake.
Until we share ale at the same table again, my Brother... we will drink to you here tonight.
Aiteam.
Semper Fidelis
Fidelis ad Mortem

Chief of Police John William Trazino
Tuxedo, NY Police Department/ Brother & Friend

December 6, 2022

Never forgotten brother.

Judge /Magistrate Sheridan (Danny) Lynn
Former S.C. Highway Patrol

December 6, 2021

20 years feels like 20 days. No matter how much time passes the unfairness and sadness remains. But so do the good memories, the laughter and the good times we had growing up. Rest In Peace we all miss you terribly.

Kristen (McNamara) Stamm
Friend

December 6, 2020

Rest in peace Eric.

Chris Blaha
family friend

December 3, 2020

Rest in peace Trooper Nicholson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2020

I was stationed in troop 3 with Eric and had breakfast with him the morning he stopped the moped. I was racing to the scene when the call went out. I will forever remember Eric and miss him very much. he was an attribute to the SC Hwy Patrol.. God Bless you Eric till we met again

retired L/cpl David McAlhany
SC Highway Patrol. Fellow Trooper

June 17, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

December 7, 2019

On this day December 6 in the year 2000 State Trooper Eric Nicholson of South Carolina Highway Patrol was killed while attempting to stop a bank robbery suspect. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, came from Greenwood Lake, NY and was starting his life in Greenville South Carolina with his beautiful wife. Most importantly to be remembered here he gave his life while protecting the public and doing what he loved for a career. But we all should realize that when any police officer is killed in the Line of Duty, he leaves behind family, friends and a brother/sisterhood in blue, who must live with the grief of loss, every year. During this holiday season of joy, let us take a moment to remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, so we may remain just a little safer in our own personal lives. God speed Eric, you will always be in our hearts as the wonderful person you were and the dedication that you gave to your profession.

May all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice rest in peace and those serving be protected.
Chief Mark Kotlarich, Retired Greenwood Lake, NY

December 7, 2019

I remember when this happened. I had lived in the upstate at that time for about six years. It wasn't the shit hole that the community leaders made it into. I would drive by the area, as a local commercial driver and always this of him....I think there is a Cracker Barrel and a hotel there now. I am a USMC vet. Served from 1987-1991. This hurt me to my core....ALL my brother Marines, are just THAT...Brothers. I mourned his loss and wanted retribution to the POS the shot him in the most vulnerable place of his body armor....Maybe by accident or on purpose....But he wasn't going to deal with a US Marine.....In a fair fight....He'd lost...Hands down. And looked like a street in Duncan.....Full of holes. He jumped him when he got out of his patrol car and started firing....Lucky bastard. I know I am biased....He was my brother....But, so was my Dad, 2 uncles, Me and a nephew....Lets say we take it personally....Semper Fi Eric....We'll all be with Chesty one day.....This shit hurts...and those who aren't Marines....Won't understand. Thank you for not forgetting my brother...I am typing this through tears.

Corporal Patrick Hunt
USMC vet

December 6, 2019

Rest In Peace brother.

Judge / Magistrate Sheridan Lynn (former
Aiken County, S.C.

December 6, 2019

State Trooper Eric Nicholson was killed in the line of duty in South Carolina on 12/06/2000. Being the Youth Officer in my community, I had the honor of knowing Eric as he grew up along with his sister, mother and father. The call that day from South Carolina State Police and the subsequent notification to his family in NY, was the saddest day of my career. Every year since his passing, his wife, Misty who lives in SC and Eric's family in NY continue a blood drive in his honor in both NY and SC. Let's be thankful to all emergency workers for their service to our great country who have made the ultimate sacrifice or continue to work tirelessly in protecting us. Sincerely Yours, Chief Mark Kotlarich, Retired .

Chief Mark Kotlarich, Retired
Greenwood Lake, NY Police Department

December 6, 2017

There were no words to say
As I knelt down to pray
The bells, they began to chime
Lost in the fray
Too much to pay
Another before his time

I remember that day
As the bagpipes did play
And the drummers
They started to pound
All hands to their brow
Without a sound
As we laid our brother down

We were given the sign
So we all formed a line
A sea of blue
All of us mourn
For a life thats been torn
Away from us much too soon

The procession passed by
Without a dry eye
On it's way to that hollow ground
Bugle did cry out
Through the blue sky
As we laid our brother down

Though we are lost
No matter the cost
We pleged our life to this cause
Those that have gone
We will carry on
Without fear
Without though
Without cause

As all of us found
Through duty we're bound
For service of others we stayed
And our sacrifice will keep up the fight
Until under the flag we do lay

Fidelis ad Mortem, Eric

Sergeant John William Trazino
Orange County Sheriff's Office, NY/ Friend and Brother

December 6, 2017

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACE KEEPERS."

Sgt. Neal Player
Beaufort Co. Sheriff's Office (S C)

December 7, 2016

RIP brother and thank you for your sevice and the ultimate sacrifice for this state.

Retired Gene Bethea
Former SCHP

December 6, 2016

Just thinking about you , we lost two here in Harford County recently and it made me think of all those we have lost from all over during the course of time since you were taken , I just want people to know you are not forgotten. Semper Fi brother.

Sgt. Eric Landing
Wicomico Sheriff / USMC

February 27, 2016

Matthew 5:9

R W Boswell TFC (Ret)
SCHP

December 6, 2015

Semper Fi Devil Dog !

Lt. David Byrum
USC PD

September 30, 2015

I'm a friend of Eric's family, so I saw how this horror impacted on his parents and sister.

It is an unimaginable loss that left them devastated and shook me to my core -- anger at the shooter, devastation at the loss, pain for the survivors left to carry on.

I just hope Eric and his loved ones can find peace.

David H Lippman
Family friend

May 5, 2015

Eric, it was an honor to know you. You were a very polite and respectful kid, a pleasure to be around. Always smiling or laughing, your kind and gentle soul touched many people in our small town. I was deeply saddened when I heard what happened. Since that day in 2000, I think of you every time I hear of another fallen officer. Lately that has been happening too often.

As all of these reflections show, you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service to our great country.

Chris Blaha
friend

December 29, 2014

R.I.P. Marine. Thank you for all you've done for our great nation and the State of South Carolina.

Mr Charles Riddle
Future Tennessee Highway Patrol

December 6, 2014

I knew Eric most of my life he was a good friend I miss him this should not have happened. Eric loved being an officer I talked to him about 1 month before he was killed. Eric was the best person I ever knew no matter what he would always be their for his friends. I was trying to get on the job and Eric was giving me advice but that never happened for me.

Brian Dowling
Friend GWL

January 20, 2014

I had the pleasure of Serving with Eric in the Marines when I was in the Reserves and living in South Carolina. I was serving in the Marine Reserves while working as a State Correctional Officer in SC. I lost a friend, a Marine and a Brother in Law Enforcement. God Bless you and your family. Peace to you. Semper Fidelis Brother

Sgt. Scott J. Umberger
USMCR / SLED

December 6, 2013