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Citizens gather around JCPS security officer who was injured while breaking up a fight

The community is rallying around a popular Jefferson County Public Schools security guard who was seriously injured while breaking up a fight at Doss High School earlier this month. Retired teacher Jill Conover told WLKY it happened when her friend and former colleague Charlie Nichols tried to pull students away from each other. “He's the first person that doesn't want to see another student hurt,” Conover said. According to Conover, Nichols landed in a locker and broke a rib, puncturing his lung and sending the JCPS security guard to the hospital. “He said he immediately passed out and thought he was going to die because he couldn't breathe,” Conover said. He returned home days later, but Conover said the single father, his father's primary caregiver and a former U.S. Marine veteran, still needs to recover before he can go back to working three jobs to provide for his family. JCPS confirmed to WLKY that there have been several fights at Doss High School this month, but declined to comment on the incident involving Nichols. However, the district did provide the following statement from Principal Julie Chancellor: “Mr. Nichols has been a beloved member of our Dragon family for many years. Students and staff love him, and he always gives 100% for Doss. Our staff wanted to lend a helping hand financially, and we look forward to his return to our Doss family.” Since Nichols was injured, Conover said he has received an outpouring of support from students and colleagues. “Charlie always has your back,” the retired teacher said. “I think this time everyone wanted to step in and help him.” Derby City Pizza in Pleasure Ridge Park is hosting a fundraiser for the man, who the owner says is always there to help others. “Whenever he was here, everyone enjoyed his company. “My servers and bartenders loved that he was here,” said Graham Davis, the owner of the Greenwood Road restaurant. Davis said the eatery will donate 20% of sales on Oct. 1 to help fund Nichols' recovery. Conover also set up a GoFundMe campaign that has already raised more than $8,000. “He has the whole South End community behind him,” Davis said. Aside from community support, Nichols' former colleague said it's up to JCPS to hold students who fight accountable for their actions. “Unless there are serious consequences for these kids, nothing is going to change,” Conover said. Click here to learn more about the fundraiser at Derby City Pizza. You can donate directly to Nichols here.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

The community is rallying around a popular Jefferson County Public Schools security guard who was seriously injured while breaking up a fight at Doss High School earlier this month.

Retired teacher Jill Conover told WLKY it happened when her friend and former colleague Charlie Nichols tried to pull students away from each other.

“He's the first person who doesn't want another student to get hurt,” Conover said.

According to Conover, Nichols landed in a locker and broke a rib, puncturing his lung and requiring the JCPS security guard to be hospitalized.

“He said he immediately passed out and thought he was going to die because he couldn't breathe,” Conover said.

He returned home a few days later, but Conover said the single father, who primarily cared for his father and was a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran, still needed to heal his wounds before he could go back to working three jobs and providing for his family.

JCPS confirmed to WLKY that there have been several fights at Doss High School this month, but declined to comment on the Nichols incident.

However, the district provided the following statement from Principal Julie Chancellor:

“Mr. Nichols has been a beloved member of our Dragon family for many years. Students and staff love him and he always gives 100% to Doss. Our staff wanted to give him a helping hand financially and we look forward to his return to our Doss family.”

Conover said he has experienced an outpouring of support from students and colleagues since Nichols' injury.

“Charlie is always there for you,” said the retired teacher. “I think this time everyone wanted to step in and watch his back.”

Derby City Pizza in Pleasure Ridge Park is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the man who the owner says is always there to help others.

“You know, everyone enjoyed his company whenever he was here. My servers and the bartenders enjoyed having him here,” said Graham Davis, the owner of the Greenwood Road restaurant.

Davis said the location will donate 20% of its sales on Oct. 1 to fund Nichols' recovery.

Conover has also launched a GoFundMe campaign that has already raised over $8,000.

“He has the entire South End community behind him,” Davis said.

Aside from community support, Nichols' former colleague said it is JCPS's job to hold students involved in fights accountable for their actions.

“Unless there are serious consequences for these children, nothing will change,” Conover said.

Click here to learn more about the fundraiser at Derby City Pizza and donate directly to Nichols here.

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