YOUNGSTOWN Youngstown State University will host a Celebration of Life service today, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, to honor Ohio State Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, who died in the line of duty last week.

Attendees are advised to review the designated times and specific parking information, which varies for the public, law enforcement, and family and dignitaries.

The service for Trooper Cayton, a 40-year-old New Harrisburg native and U.S. Army National Guard veteran, will take place at the Beeghly Center, located at 224 W. Spring St. on the YSU campus.

The doors to the Beeghly Center will open for seating at noon. The Celebration of Life service is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive early to allow for time to navigate campus, locate parking, and be seated before the service begins.

Parking and Logistics for Attendees

Due to the anticipated volume of attendees, multiple areas on the YSU campus have been designated for parking based on the attendees’ role. Attendees are asked to adhere to the designated areas to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and maintain appropriate seating arrangements.

 

 

Public Parking

Members of the general public attending the service should utilize the following designated parking lots: M60, M71, M72, and F55.

The M71 and M72 lots are located southwest of the campus core, near the Covelli Sports Complex, Farmers National Bank Field, and along Arlington Street.

The M60 lot is positioned south of the Andrews Recreation and Wellness Center, off Fifth Avenue.

The F55 lot is located south of Lincoln Avenue near Fifth Avenue.

Public attendees are urged to pay attention to signs and follow directions from YSU Police and traffic control personnel to ensure they are parking in the correct area.

 

 

 

Law Enforcement Parking and Staging

Law enforcement personnel, including departments from outside agencies, have been assigned a specific staging and parking area: M70 and M66 lots will serve as the primary lineup and staging areas.

The M70 and M66 lots are located off Grant and Arlington streets, north of the main campus buildings.

Motorcycles for law enforcement will stage and park in the F80 lot, which is near Stambaugh Stadium and the Beeghly Center.

Law enforcement attendees are directed to use the M70 and M66 lots for vehicle line-up and should check with event staff or YSU Police upon arrival for any specific instructions regarding procession or staging.

 

Family and Dignitary Parking

Parking for family members and dignitaries is located closest to the Beeghly Center. Designated parking lots are M81 and M82.

These lots are situated north and northeast of the Beeghly Center, near the Constantini Multimedia Center and off Madison Avenue Express.

Attendees in this group should have received direct instructions regarding access to these lots and any required credentials.

The Cayton family has requested that, instead of sending flowers, attendees and well-wishers consider donating in Trooper Cayton’s memory.

Donations can be made to the Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton Memory Fund. Information for donations is available at the Ohio Troopers website: www.ohiotroopers.org.

Trooper Cayton, known to his family and friends as “Nicky,” died Oct. 16, 2025, after being struck by a vehicle while assisting a disabled semi tractor-trailer on State Route 11 in Canfield.

He leaves behind his wife, Lynsey, and two children, Turner and Romy.

Trooper Cayton had a history of service before joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2012. He was a 2004 graduate of Carrollton High School and joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 2007 while attending YSU. He was deployed overseas twice with the Military Police Company—first to Iraq in 2008 and then to Afghanistan in 2013, finishing his service as a staff sergeant in 2014. He completed YSU’s Police Academy in 2010 and later earned a criminal justice degree.

He served at the Lisbon post before transferring to the Canfield post. In 2022, he was named "Trooper of the Year" for his post.

The Celebration of Life service provides an opportunity for the community to honor Trooper Cayton’s service to his country and the people of Ohio.