Beloved and respected federal prosecutor C. Nicks Williams died on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, doing what he did best: trying a case to a jury. Shortly before closing arguments were to commence, Nicks fell ill and collapsed in the federal courthouse. He was rushed to Presbyterian Hospital where he passed away surrounded by friends and family.
Nicks came to the US Attorney’s Office in 1996 on a one-year detail from his position an Assistant Regional Counsel with the Department of Energy. Based on his experience with complex environmental issues, Nicks was assigned a number of difficult environmental crimes cases. He quickly developed a rapport with state and federal investigators. Nicks was reappointed for a second term in 1997 and continued to work primarily on environmental cases, including a complex matter involving illegal discharge of hazardous materials into the ground water. During his second year with the office, Nicks became the go-to prosecutor for the Secret Service as its role in the investigation of access device fraud expanded into the realm of identity theft. Nicks also agreed to accept responsibility for a new Department of Justice initiative involving the prosecution of delinquent child support cases.
Based on Nicks’ outstanding performance, he was offered a position as a full-time Assistant in 1998. Shortly thereafter, Nicks was given a new assignment to head up the “Project Sentry” program to curtail gun violence in schools. Nicks, as the father of three sons, readily accepted the challenge and quickly developed a separate protocol for elementary, middle, and high schools in the district, rivaling McGruff the Crime Dog in its effectiveness and entertainment value. Nicks spent countless hours speaking to students as only Nicks could do: with sincerity, humor and candor. Somewhere along the way, Nicks also persuaded management to allow him to assume primary responsibility for the prosecution of National Forrest and Park and Reservation cases. With his steady diet of out-of-the-mainstream cases from our nation’s forests and parks, Nicks would grin and introduce himself as the “Small Crimes” Chief for the Western District, an appellation that he considered an honor and a privilege. Nicks easily transitioned into the world of illegal firearms cases, violent crimes, and finally to Organized Crimes/Drug Enforcement Task Force cases. And, when the Office was restructured leaving a vacancy in two different positions, Nicks volunteered to fill them both. The result of his altruism was that he carried an incredible caseload, including the monthly indictment of between six and a dozen cases, many of which went to trial. In fact, over the last several years, Nicks has averaged at least one trial per month and often several during the same trial term, all the while maintaining his travels to the Western part of the state to retain his position as the Coordinator for the prosecution of National Forrest and Park cases. Somehow, Nicks found time to take young law students along to give them the benefit of his wisdom, experience, and noteworthy trial skills. Never complaining, despite his burdensome caseload, rarely even asking for assistance, and only accepting help with the promise to repay at least two-fold, Nicks went about his business as the district’s trial dog cheerfully and diligently. One of Nick’s favorite lines when asked whether he felt overwhelmed was, “No, I’m just grateful to be here.” And, despite his numerous contributions to the Office’s mission, he seemed to truly believe that he was simply repaying some long-ago repaid debt.
No tribute to Nicks would be complete without at least a brief acknowledgment of his a tremendous sense of humor, more often than not at his own expense. He was the perennial master of ceremonies at office events, the toastmaster for office farewells, and the good natured wit who alternated between “stirring the pot” and poking fun at himself in emails as a means of helping prosecutors retain perspective. And, when it came to shouldering the work, no one was quicker to assist a colleague by covering a hearing or an entire week of hearings, usually with his standard line: “Just get me the file, or some facts, or the name of the defendant if you got that.” No one in our office caused more laughter, or was better liked. Nicks was an instant friend to all. Nicks leaves behind his “lovely wife, Elizabeth,” as he referred to her, and three fine sons, Walker, Ross and Davis, who will undoubtedly miss the patriarch of their family beyond measure. His devotion to his family was evident. Nicks was devoted to his work, but always seemed to understand that family was most important: Nicks found the time and energy to take a trip with his wife, visit one of his sons at school, or attend a sporting event where his boys were participating at every turn. No words of comfort from this office can possibly fill the void left in their lives by Nicks’ passing. But, they should know that he loved them deeply and spoke of them in tenderness and pride. Nicks’ family should also understand that they are not alone in their grief. Nicks served our country for thirty years. Those of us in Charlotte, in particular, who have come to know and love Nicks, through our professional and personal associations with him for the last thirteen plus years, will miss him like family in our own way and for our own reasons. And, he will be remembered, with respect for his sacrifices to the people of this district, and fondly for his charm, his humor and his endearing camaraderie. He will always be our first, our last, and our only Small Crimes Chief. And, he will eternally be our friend.
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA
