Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Nelson and his partner were conducting a field sobriety test on a suspected drunk driver when a second driver entered the area. Both Officer Nelson and the original drunk driver were killed.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-202D1CD8- 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.
Officer Nelson served with the California Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Leonard Nelson is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 0.9 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Leonard Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How Leonard Nelson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Leonard Nelson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Leonard Nelson was killed by automobile.
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
