We’ve been telling you about 84-year-old Stephen Nichols, who was a crossing guard in Massachusetts, and was removed from his job and had his guns confiscated after a waitress at a local diner overheard and misunderstood a conversation Mr. Nichols was having with a friend and reported him to the police.
The waitress reported Mr. Nicholas for saying he was going to “shoot up a school.”
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When in actuality, Mr. Nicholas was expressing concern over another school guard, who left his post. He was worried that while the man was gone, someone could “shoot up the school.”
This man’s life was ruined because some nosy lady half-understood a conversation and then reported it to the police, who then used the states “Red Flag” laws to take his guns, and as a result, the school removed Mr. Nicholas from his cross guard job.
The friend, who was speaking with Stephen Nicholas at the diner, said at no time did Mr. Nicholas make a threat. He said this whole thing is “absurd.” Nicholas was actually expressing concern over the children’s safety, and now he’s been fired and his life’s work of being a police officer has been disrespected and dragged through the mud.
Nichols said he has 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. “I would never, ever, ever, harm a child,” he said.
Nichols lost his wife two years ago and values his crossing guard work as a connection to the outside world. “I just need something to do to get out of the house and I love the kids,” he said.
The good news is, this amazing man got his job back!
On Oct. 15, Nichols returned to his twice-daily post at the crosswalk on the corner of Spring and Pine Streets by the office of the Martha’s Vineyard superintendent of schools. Numerous motorists waved, beeped, or gave Nichols the thumbs-up as they passed. As students began to trickle down the sidewalk, Nichols offered them Life Savers candies whether they crossed or continued walking on the sidewalk. A handful of staffers from the superintendent’s office came outside and watched Nichols perform his duties. Nichols told The Times he was glad to be back helping the students.
In a statement released Monday, Police Chief Mark Saloio, who was actively involved in the investigation of Nichols, said he was never fired, but his job was under review.
“The town, collectively, has expressed an outpouring of concern about Mr. Nichols, and his employment as a school crossing guard. We as well share those concerns. We wish to make you aware that today, Mr. Nichols was informed that he may return to his crossing guard duties tomorrow morning,” Saloio wrote in an email to The Times. “This return to work was always pending upon a final review that was in process. Throughout this period, Mr. Nichols has retained his position as a crossing guard for the town. However, these reviews are thorough and complete, and neither immediate nor instantaneous.” [MV Times [2]]
No word yet on Mr. Nichols guns being returned to him, but we’ll update you as soon as we know.
This piece originally appeared in WayneDupree.com [3] and is used by permission.