LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Jefferson County Public Schools security guard has spent four days in the hospital. His friends say he was trying to break up a fight between students in the cafeteria.
Charlie Nichols is a security guard at Doss High School and a U.S. Marine veteran.
According to his friend, when Nichols was trying to break up the fight, he got jammed into a locker that broke his rib and punctured his lung.
"It's his natural instinct to get in there and not let anybody get hurt. He is the only person I have seen to just flat-out to do a sprint to get somewhere when he hears on the radio that someone needs him,” said Jill Conover, Nichols friend and former colleague at Doss. “He breaks up fights in the classroom, in the halls, in the cafeteria, outside, and then let’s say you need a restroom break but no one’s around, call Charlie and he’ll come let the teacher have a restroom break.”
Conover said Nichols works three job, is a single dad raising a teenage daughter, and is the caretaker for his father. This is why Conover started a GoFundMe, to help Nichols' family with bills and food during the recovery process.
“He’s always had our back and everybody else’s back, and for once we wanted to have his," Conover said. “He said this GoFundMe has given him the opportunity to breath a little because he knows now he can focus on recovering because he’s not in a panic about how am I going to pay this or how am I going to pay that.”
JCPS told WHAS11 they cannot comment about this particular situation.
In a statement sent to us, Doss High School principal Julie Chancellor said, "Mr. Nichols has been a beloved member of our Dragon Family for many years. Students and staff love him, and he always gives 100% to Doss. Our staff energetically wanted to help him out financially and we are looking forward to his return to our Doss family."
Conover said the kids at Doss would never intentionally hurt Nichols, saying they seem to like and respect him. Conover then scrolled through her phone, reading aloud some of the messages Nichols' students have left for him.
“I hope you get better and always see the passion you’ve showed for the kids, it made me drive harder to make an impact in these kids’ lives," Conover read. "You are one of a kind and bring joy to our lives all of the time...you’ll never believe the influence you’ve had on my life, I love you coach, forever.”
Conover said the school needs to see more discipline and consequences for students who get into fights, in order to keep the kids and teachers safe.
Nichols spent four days in the hospital and was released Tuesday.
You can donate to the GoFundMe, here.
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