Nichols Family Overwhelmed By Community Support

DES MOINES, Iowa -- It's been two weeks since a Des Moines fire medic was killed in a car crash on his way home from work.

Dan Nichols, 40, was also a volunteer firefighter in Indianola -- and both communities have rallied around his family.

Nichols leaves behind his wife and five children.

His children said they're proud of their father and are thankful for the help from friends and strangers.

Nichols was on his way home from the Des Moines fire station No. 3 when a car crash claimed his life the day after Christmas.

Nichols' funeral was attended by firefighters from around the state.

"I could feel a lot of support. I knew it was full in there," said Jana Nichols, his wife.

The show of support was stunning, and it hasn’t stopped.

"There's a lot of that. There's a lot of people that bring the food over, there's the cards, there's just a lot of support all around -- the ways they're honoring him and his name," Jana Nichols said.

Two weeks later, reality is starting to set in.

"It's stressful to think about, but I'm doing OK now and the future's really undecided and we just have to take it day by day," Nichols' wife said.

Nichols' family said they are driven by the desire to keep his spirit of selfless service alive.

"He was a man of honor that would stand up for what he believed in and left a good influence where he was at," Jana Nichols said.

While the local firefighters association is helping the Nichols family, other funds are still up in the air. Legally, others are debating whether he died in the line of duty, since Nichols was on his way home when he crashed.

A family memorial fund is still accepting donations at the Bank of the West in Indianola.

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