Nickolas Graves was born on January 21, 1937 to Mable and John Vanderray in Hazel Crest, Illinois. He was theyoungest of three children. Both of his parents and siblings preceded him in death.

Graves attended Thornton Township High School. Upon graduating, he then entered the United States Army in 1959. That same year, he married his true love, Nancy Taylor. To this union, three beautiful children were born; one son Rick and two daughters, Lisa and Kristie.

Nickolas served nine years in the Military Police Special Forces division as a “Ranger Airborne Green Beret”. He was Honorably Discharged.

Nickolas returned to Illinois and attended local colleges majoring in law enforcement. Graves had built a reputation for his 30-year career in law enforcement, ultimately moving up the ranks to become chief of police in both Harvey and Dixmoor.

He was well known for leading the fight against illegal drugs, as police chief. In Harvey, Graves introduced a “Zero Tolerance and Forfeiture Policy” that confiscated over $100,000 within a two-year period. The department then put those monies and seized vehicles back into the war against drugs. Just as tough on drugs within his own department, Graves developed a monthly random drug testing program for police officers that today is still used by many police departments throughout the nation. During this period, Grave was also responsible for starting the nations first canine unit. Today, canine units can be found being used throughout the United States.

Despite Nickolas’ rough and tumble exterior, those closest to him often spoke of his personal generosity and compassion for the 30,000 residents he served. While working with chiefs of police across the country to come up with better ways to fight crime, Graves was also a member of the Harvey Optimist Club and vice president of the city’s Little League and numerous other clubs.

Following his distinguished crime-fighting career, Graves began working in local government in the early 1990s, serving as Harvey’s Director of Public Health and Safety and then as City Treasurer before making his first successful run for Mayor of Harvey. Nickolas served two terms as mayor.

After Nickolas retired from public life, he devoting his remaining years to his family and close friends. He was a person who always put others first including those less fortunate, and was extremely proud of his accomplishments as mayor and police chief of Harvey the city he loved. He was blessed with many friends and family and will be sadly missed by all.