Sgt. Nick
Risner


May 5, 1981 - October 2, 2021

James Nicholas “Nick” Risner, age 40, of Florence, Alabama, passed away October 2, 2021, at Huntsville Hospital. Visitation will be Friday October 8th 2021 at Faith Church, 3601 Florence Blvd., Florence, Alabama, from 11:00 am -2:00 pm.  Service will follow with Pastor Eric Taylor officiating. A private graveside will be held for family and fellow officers.  The service will be streamed live on Faith Church Facebook page, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Nick was preceded in death by his grandparents, James and June McDoanld; brothers, Anthony Ray and Terrell.

He is survived by his parents, Carl and Vicki Risner, grandparents, Harold and Jeanette Wesson; wife, Brandy Risner; daughter, Aili Risner; brothers, Billy Risner (Kristy), Tony Risner (Whitney); nieces and nephews who adored “Uncle Nick”; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his best friend, and faithful partner “K9 WISKE”.

Nick was born and raised in Florence, AL, where he attended Central High School. Nick married Brandy, his wife of fifteen years, and they have one daughter, Aili, who is a true daddy’s girl and was the light of his life. Nick served 8 years in the Army/National Guard and then became an officer with Sheffield PD in 2012 and was currently a K9 sergeant. Nick was a people person with a servant’s heart always helping others in any way. His infectious laugh and personality could light up a room.

He loved Alabama football and was his daughter’s biggest fan in sports and academics. He was a loving son, friend, and big brother. Nick was selfless and it showed as he served his community with pride and made the ultimate sacrifice. Matthew 5:9. Nick was the true definition of a HERO and continues to be through organ donation with Legacy of Hope.

On behalf of the family we would like to thank his two special friends Max Dotson and Ray Terry. Thank you to all police agencies across the state of Alabama and beyond who have honored our true hero. Thank you to Helen Keller E.R and EMS, Air EVAC, and Huntsville Hospital staff. Special thanks to Huntsville PD and Williams Funeral Home for serving our family in a time of need. Thank you Sheffield PD for your support to Nick’s family and his career over the years. The family could never repay the community and businesses for the outpouring love, support and donations.

Pallbearers will be Tony Risner, Billy Risner, Max Dotson, Trent Anthony, Ray Terry and Kaegan Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be fellow officers of Sheffield PD, K9 partner WISKE and the Boys in Blue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sheffield Police Department, 600 N. Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, AL  35660. Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family. You may sign the guest book at wfunerals.com



Visitation

October 8, 2021
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Visitation - Faith Church 3601 Florence Blvd. Florence, AL

Visitation

Faith Church - Florence, Florence Boulevard, Florence, AL, USA

October 8, 2021 11:00 am

Get Directions

Service

October 8, 2021
2:00 pm

Service - Faith Church 3601 Florence Blvd. Florence, AL

Service

Faith Church Florence, Florence Boulevard, Florence, AL

October 8, 2021 2:00 pm

Get Directions

84 Comments on “Sgt. Nick Risner”

  1. I meet nick a couple of times through the years. He is a true hero. Words can’t express the loss for the community is immeasurable.

  2. Carl,

    I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Words cannot express my condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

    Sincerely,
    Anita Bridgeforth

    1. Carl,
      I’m so sorry to hear about your son. It appears that he was doing exactly what God put him on earth to do and that was to protect and serve others. I know that you and your family are very proud of him.

      I can’t imagine the grief that ya’ll are going through. Try and remember our Lord’s promise that Nick is in the Glory of God Now and Forever!

      I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

      Alan Savoie

  3. Nick (Sarge), thank you for making such a huge impact on my life, the friendship, helping us help the community and all the words of encouragement you always had for me. You will live on in our hears and we will carry on your legacy!

    1. Sgt Risner you my friend will be missed dearly. You were an amazing man and touched so many peoples lives. You will never be forgotten. Your legacy and heroism will live on.
      My condolences and prayers to the family.
      Sierra 1 out 💙

  4. Prayers for Officer Risners family and fellow Officers. Not only the Sheffield community but surrounding communities mourn for the tragic loss of this hero. Fly high my friend

  5. Mrs.Risner,
    Your Son will always be OUR HERO.
    Thank you for sharing him with Us.
    Praying for you and family ❤️❤️

  6. My heart breaks for Nick Risner’s family. May God help comfort you in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Praying for you all.

  7. Nick,
    May you Rest In Peace and look over your family from time to time because they will need to know you are near. Thanks you again for all your services and for protecting what could have been so many more deaths.
    Sgt. Nick Risner

    The Fishers Muscle Shoals Alabama

  8. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Thank you for your service SGT Nick Risner. 💙🖤💙

  9. Thank you Sir for your service! Thank you for serving and protecting this community and just being an all around wonderful person. Your legacy will live on.

  10. To Sgt. Nick Risner’s family, I am very sorry for your loss and I will be praying for you all and I will share the pain with you, even though I cannot take it away, but wish that I could. I dearly pray that I never have to feel the pain that you are suffering and I pray that the time you have left on this earth is a little less painful everyday.
    To his brothers and sisters in blue, and to the Sheffield Police Department and the surrounding communities. He sounds like he was one of a kind and the pain of his loss will never go unnoticed, especially for his loved ones.

    With my deepest sympathies,
    A Northeast Alabama Police Wife weeping on The Thin Blue Line.

  11. Thank you so much for your service ! You my friend are a true American hero ! Praying for your family ! 💙🖤💙🖤💙

  12. For those who never met our neighbor and community serviceman, we are shortchanged for it is without a doubt this man is highly thought of, respected and has left a deep and wide hole that cannot be filled. I did meet his beautiful wife, Brandy, with Dr Thomas— just a sweet lady. She too, is hurting as is Nick’s mom and remaining family. Just so sad and without any reason for evil in his presence on that day. Give it all to God. We will be Praying for your comfort. I salute and thank you Sargent Nick Risner.

  13. May God Bless each of you and hold you in the palms of HIS almighty hands…Until you meet again. ❤
    Rest Easy, Nick. You are sadly missed.

  14. Thank You,Fly High In Heaven &Watch Over Your Family &Your Friend/Friends,and Who serves/Whoever Serves Our Woman/Women/Man/Men In Uniform/Uniforms &Thank You For Be/Being A Hero/Our Hero Sir. Anonymous-Thank You

  15. Rest easy and in peace in God’s arms Sargent risner, sending my prayers 🙏 and condolences to your family and friends and your work family.🙏🇺🇲 Also thinking of your faithful friend wiski…

  16. Thank You For Your Service To The Sheffield Police Department & To The Surrounding Police Departments As Well,RIP,You Was A True Hero/Our Hero Sir,Watch Over Your Family/Friend/Friends Thank You

  17. Nick was a hero in every aspect of the word. I really will be praying for each and everyone of his brothers in blue and his family.

  18. My daddy was a retired policeman at Sheffield. My brother was a retired policeman at Tuscumbia. It’s close to home. God bless you.

  19. Carl, Praying that God’s love enfolds your family and comforts you through the pain. Heaven has received another Angel.

  20. Sorry for your loss, my condolences are with you and family,may god’s blessings be upon you and family.💙💙🙏🙏

  21. So sorry for your loss. Nick was a good person. He’ll be missed. Praying for those left behind. Love ya’ll. Dan,cathy,Traci,Olivia,Autumn,Matt.

  22. Thank you Officer Risner for, in Jesus Christ’s words “laying down your life for a friend” , for many friends !!! We also mourn the loss of Mr. Mealback whose life was unmercifully and brutally stolen during this unbelievable nightmare. We all are in need of God’s Great Hand of Love and Mercy.

  23. I am so sorry for this tragic loss. Family members are in my prayers. I appreciate Sgt. Risners’ service to the country when he served in the military and appreciate his service to this community as a police officer.

  24. Thank you Nick Risner for your service to our country, city, and community. You truly gave your all to protect our citizens and for that my family and I are deeply grateful. Go rest high on that mountain brother. To his physical family and his family of co workers left behind, our deepest sympathies for your loss and for the void his death has left. May God give you a measure of comfort in the days, weeks, and years to come. Our prayers are with you all.
    The Galloway family
    Muscle Shoals, AL

  25. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and for Sheffield Police Department. Your loss is the loss felt by all in Sheffield but it is also a day that binds us together as we morn his sacrifice. God bless you all!

  26. To the family of Sgt. Nick Risner. Nick was a good person. When I had my German Shepard (Spike), Nick would come through the ally just to play with him. Sheffield Police Dept. lost a good person. My heart and prayer goes out to his family and his work family.

  27. Praying for your family during this sad and difficult time. May God wrap his arms around you all and give you peace and comfort. I did not know him personally but he is the true definition of a HERO!! Back the blue. Much love from Arkansas.

  28. Praying for your family during this sad and difficult time. May God wrap his arms around you all and give you peace and comfort. I did not know him personally but he is the true definition of a HERO!! Back the blue. Much love from Arkansas.

  29. Nick, it was a pleasure knowing you in school. Always positive and smiling. So glad we reconnected about a month or so ago even if just to say hi and catch up. If we all have to go one day, though you too soon, you definitely get props as the coolest, bravest way. So proud of you, brother.

  30. Nick praying for your family to have peace and all the blessings of God to get though. My son and brother are policemen and I thank all of you in the Blue for doing what y’all do for us. So proud of the Shoals Area for the great support.
    Much Love Deloris
    Bates

  31. My sincere condolence to the family and work family. Words can not ease the pain but, know he was a Earth Angel amongst us all. May God wrap you all in his loving hands and comfort you during this time. Continued prayers 🙏 Rest easy officer we have it from here. Thank you for your impact on everyone you met.

  32. So deeply sorry for all his loved ones. Please know we are praying for each of you and holding each of you tightly in our hearts. Giving thanks that he was an organ donor. What a blessing he was and will always be. God bless each of you.

    1. Angels walk among us everyday I believe Nick was truly one to have touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Risner family and his friends in Blue. May God hold and comfort you during this difficult time. You are loved by so many.

  33. “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt.25:23 May the peace of God encompass the family.

  34. This goes to the entire Risner family, you all have my family’s deepest condolences. We are so sorry for your loss. ,Traci,Olivia,and Autumn Simpson 💙

  35. I never met Sgt. Risner but unfortunately, I do understand what this agency and community are going through losing this officer to violence. On behalf of the my family & I, as well as the Hot Springs Police Department (AR), I offer my sincere condolences to the Risner family, the Sheffield PD, and the entire community who is affected by Sgt. Risner’s loss.

  36. Nick! You are loved by so many!! Thank you for your service!! I speak for the shoals we love you!

  37. I never had the opportunity to meet Sgt Risner, but I really wish I had. He sounds like an incredible person. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the Sheffield community where I used to live. He made a difference and leaves a void that will impact so many. My heart hurts for you all.

  38. It’s been said it’s not how many years we live but what we leave behind of the years we’ve lived. My friend what a legacy you have left behind! Prayers and thoughts for the family.

  39. Prayer for you all….Thank you Nick for your service to the country and community..May you rest in peace..

  40. So sorry for y’all’s loss praying for comfort and peace. Praying for the Sheffield PD. And all the men and women in blue 💙💙 I didn’t know Nick but it breaks my heart that he died in such a cowardly way. I hope that there is justice for him. #backtheblue #justiceforNick

  41. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ◄ Matthew 25:23 ►

  42. To the entire Risner Family, his Brothers &Sisters In Blue and his beloved partner Wiske we are truly sorry for your loss. As a family with First Responders we never experienced the loss you all have had. Know Heaven gained another HERO & may God be with you always. The Thorn’s Florist Family, Russellville

  43. John 15:13
    Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

    My heart goes out to all of Nick’s family. I am devasted and beyond belief still, though I know it compares nothing to how you are feeling. Know that Nick was loved and honored and adored by ALL who know him personally and who knew him through passing. To say there was an angel on Earth is an understatement when describing Sgt. Nick Risner!
    To the family you all should be proud of the honorable human Nick was and still continues to be. I’ve read many times that he died a hero….but its so much more than that. I am honored to support the blue and I am honored to have known and been in the presence of such a remarkable human being.
    Much love to you all…especially his sweet daughter. May you find comfort in remembering the man your dad was and the mark he left on not only this community but the world as a whole.

  44. We appreciate your service and sacrifices to keep us all safe from the evils of this world. Thank you Sargent Risner.

  45. To the Family of Sgt. Nick Risner:
    Although I never met Sgt. Risner, from all the loving comments and reflections from numerous neighbors, acquaintences, family, friends, and relatives, the love for him is unequivocally Awesome and Amazing. He was definitely a SUPER HERO!!!
    Parents, wife, daughter, brothers, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, I am reminded of the scripture ” Be of Good Courage, To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” II Corithians 5:8.
    May the Lord continue to comfort and strengthen you during this most difficult time.
    Rest Easy, Sgt. Nick Risner
    Matthew: 25:23 His Lord said to him, Well done, my good and faithful servant”

  46. There isnt a MOment growing up that you wasnt right there By myside protecting me from every good or bad descion i made. Your infectious laugh, the way your nostrils flared everytime you made a face, and Great big Smile oh and cant forget how you loved to dance & chorograph your own dance moves even lol You Saved me more times then i can count and had my back always. Your Bravery and Heroiosm Will live on in our children’s Life’s and Now its time to say goodbye and see you again dont stop watching over us i know you ARE up there Dancing in the sky.. i love you Nick .,…tiff and Peyton

  47. Thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. May God comfort and guide your family in the days to come.

  48. Carl, I am so sorry for this tragic loss. I pray that God will grant you and your family comfort and peace during this time. Prayers for you, your family and all those that Nick touched with his incredible life.

  49. Sending my deepest condolences to your family. My heart breaks for you all. You will always be a “HERO”! Rest Easy SGT RISNER💙🖤🚔👮‍♂️🦮

  50. Nick was one of the better people I have known in my life. He will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family and friends. And Nick, you will be missed

  51. Although I didn’t know Sgt. Nick Risner I can see the impact on the community. It’s so hard to loose someone so early in their life. But knowing he was a Christian man that he is with the Lord and looking down on his friends and relatives. So sorry for your loss but Heavens gain.

  52. Our hearts go out to the family! Brandy and Aili we love y’all and we are praying for y’all daily! Nick was a great man with a big heart and so many kids looked up to him including my Brodie. He has told me several times that Nick is the reason he wants to be a cop! I pray for peace that only God can give. We are here for you!!

  53. You’ll never know how much you saved me! When I was at my lowest you picked me up and let me know I was stronger than I thought I was. You will truly be missed by so many. Love you big. Sending Prayer’s to your precious family and friends and Brothers and Sisters in Blue. Much Love and Respect to you all

  54. Our hearts are heavy for the family and y’all have been in our thoughts and prayers daily! He was an absolute hero! Never forget that🖤💙🖤💙

    Our Condolences
    Joe & Nikki McDonald

  55. R. I. H SGT RISNER U WAS ONE OF A KIND THERE WONT NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE U PRAYING FOR HIS FAMILY & FRIENDS

  56. RIP
    SGT.Nick Risner you will definitely be missed by so many and so will your work and dedication to the Sheffield community you was always very respectful of others and very professional and always a great friend to everyone you met.

  57. I’m so sorry to hear this about Nick,Carl and Vicki you and the whole family are in my thoughts and prayers I’m truly sorry,god bless you all the,I loved Nick ,R.I.p. Nick, and thank you for everything you did for our community, you will be truly missed.

  58. God BLESS his family in this time. Bless Wiskie he was definitely a HERO in his time here with us ALL, and Still continues to be a HERO even when in the presence of the Lord. He continues to help. The ones that gets Nick’s gifts is truly Blessed. But the most gift he would suggest would to have Eternal life with Jesus…. RIP Sagt. Nick Risner. Ty for serving not only the city but also for serving time to our Country….

  59. A Real Hero
    Heroes are so much more
    A rainbow in a rain kissed sky
    A star twinkling at night shining brighter than all the rest
    God meeting you at the pearly gates with your wings
    Another angel coming home today
    Water running from so many eyes in sorrow
    Hearts breaking with the words ‘goodbye’
    Saddened as you were laid to rest
    Another officer shot to death
    Flags lower in half staff in honor of all you gave
    Your name on a badge now etched in stone
    gone too soon but will never be forgotten
    a widow’s fears and your baby’s tears
    as the wind blows you’ll hear mourners prayers
    When he gave his life to save ours
    When he took the oath to serve and protect
    And he did till his last breath
    Rest in peace you are a true blue
    A poem penned by my mother in honor of #NickRisner

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