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Incident
Sheriff William Nelson died of blood poisoning, which he contracted after cutting himself on a piece of metal. He was chasing a robbery suspect when the incident occurred.
Sheriff Nelson had been first elected Sheriff at the age of 24.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Nelson gave the Clallam County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Clallam County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
William is one of 19 officers lost to illness in WA, 5.6% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1924, 1 officer in WA was lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2020, with 6.
In 1924, 2 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 46th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 1924, 3 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 151st heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
William was 28. Of the 19 lost to illness in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 58.5; the middle age was 49. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
William was 28. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 28. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
March holds 10.5% of these deaths in WA; December holds the most, 15.8%. Sundays: 21.1%.
March holds 5.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
March holds 6.2% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Clallam County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 5.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Clallam County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Clallam County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
