Mayor Shane McFarland recognizes Officer Dustin Nicholson with STARS award for life-saving action
Mayor Shane McFarland officially recognized Murfreesboro Police Officer Dustin Nicholson with a STARS award on Thursday, Jan.22, 2026, after Nicholson prevented a woman experiencing a mental health crisis from jumping off the I-24 bridge at Medical Center Parkway.
The nomination came from Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department Captain Tim Lampitt who simply stated, “The morning of December 23, 2025, Officer Nicholson talked a woman off the bridge, saving her life at Medical Center and I-24.”
Officer Nicholson was first hired as a Murfreesboro Police Officer on May 13, 2019, and currently serves as a member of the School Safety Division as a School Resource Officer.
This past Saturday, Jan. 17, the Jerry Anderson Hero Award was presented to Officer Nicholson by the NAACP Murfreesboro Branch for his “courage and compassion” during the life-saving rescue.” In the nomination that was submitted for the award it was stated that “On December 23, 2025, Officer Nicholson responded to a critical incident on the I-24 overpass at Old Fort Parkway. Upon arrival, he encountered a woman who had climbed over the guardrail and was in immediate danger. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Officer Nicholson engaged her with calm communication, attempting to de-escalate her distress and guide her back to safety. When verbal efforts were not effective and the risk of her life was imminent, Officer Nicholson acted with decisive bravery. He moved swiftly, secured her, and pulled her back over the guardrail to safety. His actions that day prevented a tragic loss of life and demonstrated extraordinary presence of mind under extreme pressure.”
The STARS Service Excellence program recognizes outstanding employees who embody the city’s standards for service excellence and exemplify the city’s core service values. The purpose of the STARS award is to recognize and reward those employees who go beyond their normal job duties in providing outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
STARS stands for “Succeeding Through Attitudes Reflecting Service Excellence.” STARS are examples of representing the City in a positive light, exhibiting the core values, and creating a better quality of life for citizens.
A STARS committee, consisting of City employees, reviews the STARS nominations each month then votes for the nominees.
Congratulations to Officer Dustin Nicholson for being named a STAR!
