Norman police investigating death of former state lawmaker

NORMAN — Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a former state senator.

Jonathan Nichols’ body was found in his Norman home, and a gun was on a table across the room, law enforcement sources told The Oklahoman.

Norman police responded to a report of an individual with a gunshot wound at 8:44 p.m. Wednesday to the 3900 block of Annalane Drive, according to Norman police. Once inside the residence, officers found Nichols, 53, deceased.

Nichols, a Republican, represented Norman in the Oklahoma Senate from 2000 to 2012. He was serving as a senior policy adviser to House Speaker Charles McCall at the time of his death.

"I am shocked and incredibly saddened to learn that Jonathan has passed away," McCall said in a statement. "He was a valuable member of my staff and a friend. Jonathan was a very proud man, but he served humbly."

McCall said Nichols joined his staff in November. Nichols also previously served as chief of staff for former Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman and his successor, Pro Tem Mike Schulz.

In 2016, former University of Oklahoma President David Boren appointed Nichols to serve as vice president of governmental relations at OU to fight state budget cuts to higher education.

Boren’s successor, James Gallogly, fired a handful of high-level university administrators on his first day as OU’s president in 2018. Nichols was one of them.

Interim OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said Nichols was valuable in maintaining the university's relationships with civic and legislative leaders. His commitment to public service made him an asset to OU, he said in a statement.

“We mourn his loss deeply on behalf of his family but also on behalf of the OU family and everyone who believes public service is sacred and essential for a civil society," Harroz said. "Jonathan will be missed by me, our OU family and the many people he served in his roles as senator, prosecutor and advocate for education."

Nichols worked as an assistant Cleveland County district attorney for more than six years before his election to the state Senate. He had to resign from the Cleveland County district attorney's office in order to serve in the Legislature.

Current and former lawmakers mourned Nichols' passing, including Sen. Rob Standridge, who succeeded Nichols in representing Senate District 15.

“Senator Jonathan Nichols was the most brilliant political, legal mind in the Oklahoma State Legislature, and worked tirelessly as a senator and for years on staff to help guide our state forward," said Standridge, R-Norman.