A Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Trooper who was once stationed in Brownwood died Saturday afternoon in Bell County following a traffic crash. Senior Trooper Thomas Nipper, 63, was conducting a traffic stop on the south bound shoulder of Interstate 35 in Temple, at approximately 3:05 p.m. Saturday, when his patrol car was struck from behind by a Chevrolet pickup.

Trooper Nipper was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The crash, which took place in the Temple city limits, is under investigation and no additional details are available at this time. Nipper was commissioned as a Trooper in January of 1983, was stationed in Temple.

Nipper is the 220th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823. He is survived by his wife and three children. Funeral arrangements are pending.