The family of killed Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic worker Nicholas “Nic” Crews are speaking out about the loss of the husband and father who was soon expecting another child.
Crews, who just turned 34 years of age on March 14, died from an incident that occurred at about 1:30 p.m. March 17 at a VA Clinic on East Church Street in Jasper, Ga. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said that Charles Michels, 51, of Jasper, was at the clinic for a walk-in mental health consultation.
That was when Michels shot Crews, a social work case manager. Crews was taken to a trauma hospital, where he died on March 18.
Authorities said that after shooting Crews, Michels exited the clinic and encountered police officers and an armed civilian. Michels was armed with a handgun and exchanged gunfire with the officers and the civilian. Michels was hit by gunfire.
Michels was pronounced dead on scene. No officers were injured. Both bodies of Crews and Michels were said to be taken to the GBI Crime Lab, where autopsies were being performed.
‘Immeasurable Loss’
Crews’ family and friends, along with solemn members of the community, celebrated his life on Sunday, March 22, at North River Church of Christ in Marietta.
Crews served as a social work case manager at the clinic for the past 2.5 years and was described by those who knew him as “deeply committed to caring for veterans and supporting those in crisis.”
“Nic lived a life marked by compassion, courage and calling,” Crews’ wife, Alyssa, said in a statement shared with Military.com. “He believed deeply in showing up for people in their hardest moments, and he did so with humility, kindness, and unwavering faith.”
Crews’ tragic death came just as he and Alyssa were getting set to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on April 3. Alyssa is currently 38 weeks pregnant. They already had two children together, ages 4 and 2.
“Above all, Nic loved God and his family,” Alyssa said. “He was a devoted husband and an incredible father whose presence brought joy, stability, and deep love into our lives.”
I thank God for our nearly 10 years of marriage and treasure our shared memories. His loss is immeasurable. My heart is broken.
She also thanked the community for the outpouring of love and support during this time, saying that Crews “gave so much of himself to others” so to receive kindness and generosity in return has been a blessing.
Crews Lived ’48 Hours in a Day’
Alyssa’s sentiment was shared by people who knew Crews.
Cody Porter, 33, of Kennesaw, Georgia, befriended Crews for over 13 years since their days at Kennesaw State University. He recalled one specific day etched in his memory.
“There was a snowstorm, and even though he didn’t really know me, Nic invited me over,” Porter said in remarks shared with Military.com. “We ended up hiking Kennesaw Mountain covered in snow, and we prayed at the top. It was the first time I had ever prayed out loud.”
Porter said that moment showed who Crews was, letting others into a vibrant existence. Crews’ faith shaped how he lived and how he treated others.
“Nic made life more vibrant, more epic. There was nothing mundane about him. He was a living legend. … There are probably eight of us who would each say we were his closest friend—and he made each of us feel that way. That’s the kind of man he was,” Porter added.
Porter also said that between his family, faith, hobbies like rugby, and providing care at the VA, Crews lived “48 hours in a day, and we are all better for it.”
Joe Mulligan, a VA coworker of Crews, said that Crews set an example for others to follow that ultimately spread into the VA’s broader mission.
“Nic’s faithful and relentless commitment to serving the mission of providing care to America’s veterans was evident and continuously on display,” Mulligan said in a statement shared with Military.com. “He served this special population with compassion, integrity, respect, and with the utmost concern in promoting healing and recovery for our nation’s wounded.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Crews family to assist with needs and to provide long-term support for his wife and children. As of 4:30 p.m. March 22, it had raised nearly $388,000.
Tax-deductible donations can also be made through “Be A Peace Maker Inc.”
