It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton of the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Oct. 16, 2025. He went to be with the Lord after giving his life in service to the people of Ohio. Trooper Cayton served on the patrol since 2012 and will be remembered for his courage, commitment and unwavering dedication to protecting others.

“Nicky” Cayton was born Sept. 9, 1985, in Canton, Ohio, to Duwane and Cindy Cayton. He resided in New Harrisburg, Ohio, along with his two sisters, Lainy and Sabrina. He was a 2004 graduate of Carrollton High School, where he played and excelled in football, basketball and baseball.

Feeling a strong calling to serve his country, Nick joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 2007 while attending Youngstown State University. He was deployed twice overseas — first in 2008 to Iraq with the 583rd Military Police Company and then in 2013 to Afghanistan with the 838th Military Police Company. He finished his service as a staff sergeant in 2014. In 2010, he completed YSU’s Police Academy and later earned his criminal justice degree. During those years, Nick formed lifelong friendships that carried him through deployments and to each stage of his life.

Nick earned his gray shirt and Stetson in 2012 when he became a trooper in the Ohio State Highway Patrol, working first at the Lisbon post and then transferring to Canfield. He was named Trooper of the Year for his outstanding service in 2022.

In 2007, Nick married his high school sweetheart, Lynsey. They were together every step of the way and started their family in 2015 with their beloved son, Turner. The apple of his eye, their daughter, Romy, was born in 2017. The greatest joy of his life was being Daddy.

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 and 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. He also spent many years playing the bagpipes with the Steel Valley Pipes and Drums and for the State Patrol.

Nick is survived by his wife of 18 years, Lynsey (Stine) Cayton; son, Turner; daughter, Romy; mother, Cindy Cayton; father, Duwane Cayton; sisters, Lainy (Cayton) Gooding (Jason, and their children, Lyza and Josey) and Sabrina (Cayton) Simmons (Shawn, and their children, Kail, Karson and Kolt); in-laws, Greg and Rhonda Smith; in-laws, Sherman and Joyce Stine; brothers-in-law, Talen Smith (Cara Gainor and sons, Greyson and Carson Bradt), Andy Stine (Kim and sons, Garret and Colin Wright), Nick Stine and Jack Stine (Clea); grandmothers, Kathy Taylor and Donna Savage; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who were like family.

“So, gather up your jackets, move it to the exits. I hope you have found a friend. Closing time, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

A celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at Beeghly Center, 224 W. Spring St., Youngstown, Ohio 44502.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton Memory at www.ohiotroopers.org.