Federal Prohibition Agent John Nicola

John Nicola

Federal Prohibition Agent John Nicola was killed in an automobile accident near Baltimore, Maryland, while he and two other prohibition agents pursued a vehicle they suspected of transporting liquor.

The vehicle they were chasing down Ridge Road suddenly turned onto Selma Avenue. Agent Nicola attempted to follow them but lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The two other agents and a prisoner in their custody were injured in the crash.

The suspects driving the vehicle took the injured officers to the hospital, and they left without anyone knowing who they were. They were never apprehended. The prisoner fled after the crash but was captured a couple of weeks later.

Agent Nicola was a United States Army World War I veteran and had served as a prohibition officer for two years. He had previously served on the Metropolitan Police Department, DC, for five years. He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.