Prev
Harley Beecher Nelson
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Harley Nelson was shot and killed after he and another deputy responded to a shooting call.
A livestock dealer had called authorities after he caught a man tearing down a fence on his property. The subject shot at the dealer when he confronted him. When the deputies arrived the dealer accompanied them to a nearby shack where the subject lived. Deputy Nelson went to the front door as the other deputy went around back.
Several moments later the subject shot Deputy Nelson in the chest, killing him. The other deputy ran around to the front and tried to pull Deputy Nelson's body to their patrol car but was fired at by the subject. The deputy retreated to safety and called for backup. Responding county, city, and state units arrived and were involved in a prolonged shootout with the subject, who was eventually shot and killed inside of the shack.
Deputy Nelson was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, parents, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq4ebne66drq1968fa8x- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harley. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Harley is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Nelson served with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Knoxville 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
Harley Beecher Nelson served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Knox County Sheriff's Department has lost 11 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Harley is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Harley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Harley is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1947, 1 officer at Knox County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1947, 2 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harley was 31. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Knox County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.5; the middle age was 38.
Harley was 31. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Harley was 31. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Harley was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 28.6% of these deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.3%.
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Sundays: 15.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 11 deaths at Knox County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Knox County Sheriff's Department has 11 officers remembered here, Harley among them.
-
Doctor A. Shipe May 21, 1888
-
William Walker
Jul 21, 1906
-
George S. Williams Jun 3, 1927
-
Ralph W. King
Sep 12, 1933
-
Harley Beecher Nelson Jul 6, 1947
-
James Kenneth Kennedy
Mar 27, 1984
-
Steve Keith McCulley
Feb 16, 1999
-
Angela K. Payne
Feb 26, 2000
-
L. Keith Lyon
May 9, 2006
-
Toby Jay Keiser
Jan 18, 2021
-
Tucker Blakely
Oct 2, 2023
Military Service
Harley Beecher Nelson served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Harley Beecher Nelson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Knox County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
