Taylorville Fire Department recognized the Taylorville Police Department and specifically Officer Matthew Nichols for his great police work on Tuesday. Captain Nicholas Zepin of the Taylorville Fire Department reported that they received a call for a patient dealing with post traumatic stress or PTSD and having a panic attack.  Taylorville Police assisted in the call.  

Officer Nichols and Sergeant Alan Mills responded and Officer Nichols immediately established a rapport with the patient who told police that he was a retired Marine veteran and was experiencing a mental episode.  Captain Zepin says that Officer Nichols gained trust with the patient through his history as a Marine and assured him he would help him. He offered and rode with the patient to the hospital via ambulance, leaving his squad car behind. 

Captain Zepin praised Officer Nichols saying that “His actions and character on this call exemplify the level of “service’ that police officers should have instilled in them and are often overlooked.”  We here at Regional Radio News, salute you, Officer Nichols!