DPS officer killed in I-35 accident was Cove alum

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove High School class of 1973 lost one of their own on Saturday when Thomas Nipper, 63, a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety, died after a pickup truck ran into his patrol car while he was making a traffic stop. 
The incident happened after 3 p.m. on the southbound shoulder of I-35 in Temple, after which Nipper was taken to Scott & White Hospital in Temple, where he was pronounced deceased.
Visitation for Nipper is set for Thursday, November 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, with a funeral service set for Friday, November 10 at 1 p.m. at Temple Bible Church. 
“It is with heavy heart that we must notify our fellow Texans that State Trooper Thomas Nipper died in the line of duty today,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw in a Saturday press release. “Today Texas and our DPS family lost one of our finest. Trooper Nipper was a hard-working and selfless man, who proudly served and protected the people of this state. His commitment to duty and his sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement of his own as well on Saturday. 
“Trooper Nipper was a dedicated member of Texas’ law enforcement community, and like his fellow officers, I am saddened to learn of his tragic death. The men and women who make the commitment to keeping us safe are every day heroes, and we should always remember the risks and sacrifices they make to serve their fellow Texans. Cecilia and I ask all Texans to join us in keeping Trooper Nipper, his family, and all those close to him in our thoughts and prayers. May God grant them peace and comfort during this difficult time.”
A resident of Morgan’s Point Resort, Nipper was commissioned as a trooper in January 1983 and is the 220th trooper killed in the line of duty since 1823.
He is survived by his wife and three children.