Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police John Nelson succumbed to gunshot wounds received six days earlier while investigating the theft of cases of shoes from a boxcar at the Winnemucca railroad yard.
After locating the suspects, Chief Nelson observed a transaction involving the stolen shoes. When he attempted to arrest the men, one of them produced a pistol and opened fire, striking Chief Nelson four times. Although mortally wounded, Chief Nelson was able to return fire and kill one of the suspects. The other suspect was apprehended a short time later.
Chief Nelson had been elected Constable only four months prior to the shooting. Shortly after the election, he was appointed as Chief of Police and dually served both offices.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and ten siblings.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-NV-0FD8F316- Stewardship
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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.
Chief of Police Nelson served with the Winnemucca Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Winnemucca community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John Raymond 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 NV, 81 of 145 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.9% of this state's fallen. That is 1.7 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. John Raymond Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How John Raymond Nelson Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Raymond Nelson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Raymond Nelson was killed by handgun; pistol.