10/22/2025
This portrait was commissioned by a friend of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton for his wife and children.
Last Thursday afternoon, Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton responded to assist a disabled tractor-trailer on Route 11 in Canfield, Ohio. While at the scene, Trooper Cayton was seated in his patrol car with the emergency lights activated when another truck collided into the rear of his vehicle. The impact forced the police cruiser into the back of the disabled truck, which also struck the driver of the semi who was standing on the roadway. Trooper Cayton succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The truck driver who was struck was also severly injured, undergoing multiple surgeries and had to have his leg amputated.
Trooper Nicholas Cayton joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2012 and leaves behind a loving wife and two young children. In addition to his time in law enforcement, Nick also proudly served his country in the Ohio Army National Guard, where rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He had two combat deployments as an MP; first to Iraq in 2008 with the 583rd Military Police Company and then to Afghanistan in 2013 with the 838th Military Police Company.
Trooper Cayton’s Time with the OSHP began at the Lisbon post before transferring to Canfield. Nick was named “Trooper of the Year” for his outstanding service for 2022.
“Nick will most definitely never be forgotten. He left a legacy of memes, catchy phrases (mostly inappropriate), dance moves, whistles, and taking over the music at parties (a.k.a. “DJ Nick”). Nick loved the Cleveland Guardians, Columbus Blue Jackets and couldn’t unlove his Cleveland Browns, no matter what. He enjoyed coaching his son and teammates for the Canfield Little Cardinals football team. Nick spent many years playing the bagpipes with the Steel Valley Pipes and Drums and for the State Patrol.” Trooper Cayton was 40-years old and his celebration of life was held today.
