Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Marshal Jesse Nelson succumbed to gunshot wound sustained six weeks earlier as he and the town marshal attempted to question three robbery suspects.
The subjects opened fire, wounding both officers. Deputy Marshal Nelson was taken to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
On August 8, 1924, the three suspects were attempting to rob a grocery store in Fairmount when the store owner opened fire killing two and critically wounded the third. The third suspect, who was shot in the neck and near death, confessed from his hospital bed that they were the ones who shot Deputy Nelson and the other officer. He said one of the dead suspects killed Deputy Nelson. He did not say who shot the other officer. He also said they were involved in other robberies which turned out to be 18. He recovered from his wound and received a term of 10 to 25 years.
Deputy Marshal Nelson had served with the Upland Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Marshal Nelson served with the Upland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Upland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Marshal Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Marshal Jesse E. Nelson is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesse E. Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How Jesse E. Nelson Compares
Offender Outcome
Later shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse E. Nelson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse E. Nelson was killed by handgun.