Nelson Henry Yamamoto
Deputy Sheriff

Nelson Henry Yamamoto

Felonious
End of Watch March 31, 1992
Age 26
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
The Vigil Panel 137 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Yamamoto died two days after being shot when he responded to a man with a gun call in the 2500 block of Cass Place in the Walnut Park area of the county. Responding deputies observed two armed men inside of a garage at the location. The two subjects exited the front of the garage and exchanged shots with Deputy Yamamoto, who was shot in the abdomen, shoulder, thigh, and foot. One of the two subjects was shot and killed by other deputies. The man who shot Deputy Yamamoto was able to escape. Investigators determined the man was an illegal alien who was wanted for one murder in the Los Angeles area and for two murders in El Salvador. The man fled to New York where he sought work on a farm. His new employer recognized him on an episode of America's Most Wanted and called the FBI. Special agents and New York State troopers responded to the man's home to interview him. The subject fled in his car but was shot and killed by officers following a short pursuit. Deputy Yamamoto had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for three years.

Survivors

He is survived by his parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-46D83128
Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Yamamoto gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Yamamoto.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Other
Location Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, CA
Platform Identity lacso.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 31, 1992
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Nelson Henry Yamamoto 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 97,772 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
58
of 120 officers
48.3% Felonious
CA — Statewide
974
of 1,837 officers
53% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nelson Henry Yamamoto's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Nelson Henry Yamamoto Compares

Age at Death
26
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nelson Henry Yamamoto is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nelson Henry Yamamoto was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location