Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Henry Nelson and Deputy Sheriff Theodore Crossley were shot and killed when they went to investigate a charge of hay theft in Belleville, California. When the officers arrived at the scene one of the suspects opened fire, killing both deputies. The man was sentenced to death for the murders and was hanged at San Quentin State Prison on February 24th, 1922. The subsequent search for the suspects was the first time airplanes were used in California for law enforcement searches. Deputy Nelson had served with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-ADCF261D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Nelson gave the Riverside County Sheriff's Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Riverside community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Henry F. 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 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 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Riverside County Sheriff's Department, 12 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry F. Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How Henry F. Nelson Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1922
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry F. Nelson is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry F. Nelson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Riverside County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
