Holly MatkinNettie, WV – Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department (NCSD) Deputy Travis Lawson died in an off-duty motorcycle crash on May 10.
The fatal collision occurred on State Route 39 in Nettie, according to Metro News.
The circumstances leading to the collision are unclear.
The NCSD confirmed Deputy Lawson’s tragic death in a press release later that night.
“Today we are devastated with the loss of ‘One of Nicholas Counties Finest,’” the sheriff’s office said. “Travis Lawson passed away while off-duty due to a motorcycle accident.”
Deputy Lawson, 22, graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy on April 1.
“Deputy Lawson not only achieved his goal of becoming a certified deputy, he was awarded the Perseverance Award at graduation,” the NCSD noted.
“At one point he had a stroke, and it was really unclear if he was going to be able to recover from that,” Nicholas County Sheriff William Nunley told WSAZ. “He recovered almost completely fully from that. That took a good deal of time and a lot of strength. Most people probably would have quit with all the medical things he had to face.”
He also served as a Nettie Fire Department volunteer firefighter, according to the NCSD.
Sheriff Nunley described Deputy Lawson as humble and kind, and said he was “someone you’d see would be honest serving as a pillar in the community,” WSAZ reported.
“He was hands-on, just a go-getter,” the sheriff added. “He wanted to be involved, he wanted to learn, he wanted to do this job, he wanted to help people.”
The death of the young deputy has been difficult for the department, Sheriff Nunley said.
“Deputy Lawson wanted nothing more than to be a deputy sheriff and showed it during the numerous set backs that most would have simply said I quit,” the NCSD said. “Countless times he said I will make it, I’m good and he did so showing what true heart was. Deputy Lawson was a staple of what honesty, integrity, courage and the love for his Country means.”
Deputy Lawson was laid to rest on May 17, according to the sheriff’s office.
“We ask for prayers for comfort in the coming days for his wife, family, coworkers and friends,” the NCSD said. “We will Take it from Here Brother! RIP.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Nicholas County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Travis Lawson, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
