Officer Mark Vance was shot and killed after arriving on the scene of a domestic dispute around 9:30 pm. Dispatchers had received 911 calls that a man (26-year-old Nickolus L. Johnson) was at a home with a gun, threatening a female. Officer Vance was the first at the scene and entered the house. As Officer Vance's backup officer walked towards the front door he observed a handgun being raised, but did not
see who was holding the gun because their was a wall blocking his view. Johnson was holding a shotgun and fired a single shot, striking Office Vance point blank in the head, killing him. After shooting Officer Vance, Johnson dropped the gun and exited the front the of the house where he was taken into custody by the responding officers. Office Vance's weapon was still holstered. 26-year-old Nickolus L. Johnson was arrested as the suspected shooter. According to police records, Johnson has a criminal history. In 1997, he was charged with malicious wounding in Bristol, Virginia and sentenced to six years in prison.

Officer Vance had served as a full-time officer with the Bristol Police Department for 1.5 years and had previously served as an auxiliary officer for 4 years. He is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, mother,
and brother.

Agency Information:
Bristol Police Department
801 Anderson Street
Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: 423-989-5600

       
                   

                  

God rest Mark's soul. My deepest prayers go to his family and members of the Bristol PD. Words cannot describe the sorrow they must be feeling.

Somerset KY Police Dept.
Lieutenant, Jim Rutherford
jimspd10@yahoo.com

Date: 12/02/2004
Time: 11:28 PM

Walk tall, walk tall and protect us from above with honor and dignity. May you lead the charge for
citizens right in heaven as you did here on earth

Darrell Thompson
Privet Security Officer St. Clair Co. MI,
Community College Campus Patrol #14
darrell@policespecial.com
www.sc4.edu

Rest in peace, and may God allow him to keep watch over us on earth while he patrols his beat
in heaven. Our prayers go out to the Officer and his Department and family. May they all find peace in their hearts soon.

From all the Staff at Police Special Inc.