The longtime officer and retired deputy chief of the Gainesville Police Department has died

Jane Nichols, a retired deputy chief and respected member of the Gainesville Police Department, has died.

Gainesville Police announced Nichols’ death in a Facebook post on Saturday, Oct. 12. “Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the post said.

The post states that Nichols joined the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) on February 22, 1982. Nichols became the department’s first female traffic police officer and later served in the criminal investigation division in 1988.

Nichols was promoted to various ranks throughout her career, including sergeant in February 1992, lieutenant in May 1996, captain in 1998 and deputy chief in 2007.

She also served as interim chief from January 1, 2010 until her retirement on March 17, 2010.

A pioneer for women in the department, Nichols made GPD history as the first female officer to hold the ranks of captain, deputy chief and interim chief.

At the time, Nichols said of her appointment as interim chief: “It is with great humility and pride that I assumed leadership of this agency on New Year’s Day 2010, upon my retirement, after nearly 28 years with the department,” from Chief Frank Hooper. I have the privilege of serving alongside the men and women of the Gainesville Police Department. We have dedicated our professional lives to public safety and are proud to be Gainesville police officers.”

On Nichols’ last day with the department, according to the Facebook post, she gave Maj. Paul Sherman and Capt. Chad White advice that “is still on everyone’s heart today”: “Forget where you came from and focus on where you are.” “I want to go,” Nichols told them.

“Jane (Nichols) valued her colleagues, family, friends and beacons,” the post said. “She also enjoyed visiting Tybee Island. May you rest in peace, boss.”