A Nebraska State Patrol trooper stationed in Scottsbluff with the Carrier Enforcement Division has died of an apparent suicide.
37-year old Nicholas Goodwin was found dead early Thursday afternoon outside the agency’s office in Scottsbluff but inside his patrol vehicle, outside the NSP office in Scottsbluff of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
NSP has requested that the Scottsbluff County Sheriff’s Office conduct the investigation into the incident.
Superintendent Colonel John Bolduc says the entire State Patrol family is grieving the loss of Goodwin, calling him a rock to the agency, a dedicated public servant and a close friend to many NSP teammates.
Colonel Bolduc says the 14-year veteran of the Patrol helped the family of Trooper Jerry Smith after Smith’s death in a traffic accident while on duty in 2019 – adding that both families are now in the hearts of others “at this sad time.”
Bolduc is asking for privacy for Trooper Goodwin’s family and everyone in they agency as they mourn his loss