Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Nelson Cook succumbed to head injuries sustained two days earlier when he was beaten by a man he had arrested. He was attempting to place the man into a jail cell in Jonesville when the man attached him, gained control of his revolver, and struck him in the head multiple times.
The subject was wanted for forging United States express money orders. During the arrest the man beat him upon his head and body, causing fatal injuries. The man fled the scene but was later arrested. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years.
Deputy Cook was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Deputy Cook was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-F956869B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cook gave the Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hillsdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Nelson Reed Cook 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 59.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nelson Reed Cook's cause is highlighted.
How Nelson Reed Cook Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nelson Reed Cook is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nelson Reed Cook was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
