Incident
Police Officer James Nerison was shot and killed while he and three other officers attempted to arrest a man who was attempting to blow the safe at the Alhambra Theater, at the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Main Street. The man fled through a side door where an accomplice was waiting. They opened fire with sawed-off shotguns fatally wounding Officer Nerison as they made their escape. The men had just robbed two other theaters and had stolen a total of $2,500. They also shot and wounded a Los Angeles detective during one of the other robberies. The suspects were never apprehended. Officer Nersison was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Alhambra Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-50FE53B4- Stewardship
- 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 — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. James 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.
Police Officer Nerison gave the Alhambra Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alhambra community, and 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
James H. Nerison served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer James H. Nerison is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Alhambra Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James H. Nerison's cause is highlighted.
How James H. Nerison Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James H. Nerison is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James H. Nerison was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
James H. Nerison served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit James H. Nerison’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Alhambra Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


