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Incident
Chief of Police Dion Nelson was killed in an automobile crash on Highway 17 while responding to another accident call in a period of heavy rain during the aftermath of Hurricane Rita.
During the response, his vehicle hydroplaned and struck the rails of a bridge. He was transported to a hospital in Meridian, Mississippi, where he succumbed to injuries.
Chief Nelson was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and had served in law enforcement for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his fiancee, two sons, two daughters, and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Dion is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Chief of Police Nelson gave the York Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the York community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dion Rastus Nelson Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
York Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Dion is one of 182 officers lost to accidents in AL, 28.3% of the 643 remembered there.
Dion is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dion is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 2 officers in AL were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 6.
In 2005, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2005, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Dion was 34. Of the 160 lost to accidents in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47.3; the middle age was 36.5. Dion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Dion was 34. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Dion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dion was 34. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Dion had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in AL; July holds the most, 13.2%. Saturdays: 21.4%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at York Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.3% of all 643 deaths in AL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
York Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Dion among them.
Military Service
Dion Rastus Nelson Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dion Rastus Nelson Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from York Police Department are honored on badge.nw.