Nichols is still active in law enforcement after 38 years. He began his career as a rookie jailer in the Tucson Police Department. He retired as Deputy Chief and went on to become Chief of Police of the Lubbock Police Department. Upon retirement as chief of the city police, he began as chief of a school district police department in Lubbock. He continues that role and serves as President of the Texas Association of School District Police. Nichols is a graduate of the University of Arizona, and also graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.