Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Nelson Sasscer was shot and killed when he was ambushed by a member of the radical racist group the Black Panthers. He had observed the two suspects hiding in the shadows on a residential street, at the intersection of 3rd Street and Raitt Street, and was shot twice in the abdomen as he approached them. Both suspects were arrested later that night. The shooter was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five years to life on June 17th, 1970. He was paroled in 1977. Officer Sasscer was a Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Santa Ana Police Department for 18 months. He had been awarded Rookie of the Year the previous year. survivors include his wife, mother, five brothers, and three sisters. The Black Panther Party was a black nationalist and Marxist revolutionary political and militant organization active in the United States between 1966 and 1982. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of over 20 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Panther Party's violent activism.
Survivors
survivors include his wife, mother, five brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-DF11F462- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Sasscer gave the Santa Ana Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Santa Ana community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Nelson Alvin Sasscer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Nelson Alvin Sasscer 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 Santa Ana Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nelson Alvin Sasscer's cause is highlighted.
How Nelson Alvin Sasscer Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1977
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nelson Alvin Sasscer is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nelson Alvin Sasscer was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Santa Ana Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
