Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Nelson was shot and killed as he and the regular night watchman attempted to arrest a man who had been firing shots in a neighborhood. As the officers attempted the arrest the man opened fire, instantly killing Officer Nelson.
Officer Nelson had been appointed a special night watchman to assist the normal night watchman during the Christmas holiday.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-5DC48FD3- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Nelson served with the Midvale Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Midvale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer William Nelson 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 UT, 84 of 138 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this state's fallen. That is 60.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Midvale Police Department, 2 of 2 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. William Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How William Nelson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Nelson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Nelson was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Midvale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
