- Date Of Birth: March 17, 1954
- Date Of Death: November 4, 2017
- State: Texas
Trooper Thomas “Tom” Nipper, March 17, 1954 – November 4, 2017.
On Saturday, November 4th of 2017, Senior Trooper Thomas Patrick Nipper, 63, of Belton, TX died in the line of duty. Thomas “Tom” was born on March 17th, 1954 in Waltham, Massachusetts to Tommie Lee Nipper and Rose Piazza Nipper.
After graduating from Copperas Cove high school in 1973, he obtained an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Central Texas College. His first assignment as a police officer was in Nolanville, Texas. He served additional stations at Hereford, Coryell County Sheriff department, the Belton police department, and Gainseville police department. From there, he entered the DPS Academy and graduated in 1982. Tom served a total of 43 years of service and won numerous awards including the Field Major’s award for going beyond the call of duty to find and save the life of an abducted child.
In addition to being a dedicated trooper, Tom was also a dedicated husband, father, and friend to many. While working in Gatesville, Tom met and eventually married a special woman who was working as a dispatcher, Tammy Beasley Nipper in 1978.
Almost every weekend Tom was not working he was at his home having a gathering with friends and family where he would grill burgers, share birthday cake, and watch the Cowboys play. Often family would catch him sneaking a nap with one or two of the family dogs sleeping on top of him, their favorite pillow.
Outside of his favorite past time entertaining family, he would visit the local hobby shop to embrace his inner geek, of which he was a proud member. He would want to quote the immortal words of one of his favorite characters, Spock, in saying, “live long and prosper!”. Tom always had a joke or a friendly prank to play on his children. He was a passionate person who loved his country dearly and in addition to his direct service to it, always expressed how he hoped to make it a better place.
Tom is survived by his loving wife Tammy, their beloved children Michael Nipper and daughter-in-law Janie Nipper, daughter Amy Nipper Schmoyer and son-in-law Michael Schmoyer, daughter Lori Marie Nipper, brother Joe Piazza, sister Lynn Sawyer and brother-in-law Rick Sawyer. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Tommie Lee and Rose Nipper.
