Alvin Nelson

Leadville Police Department — Leadville, CO

Felonious

End of Watch April 8, 1949

Age 45

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 85 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 6

Incident

Police Officer Alvin Nelson was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest a man for breaking into a car at the Delaware Hotel at the corner of Harrison Street and 7th Street. As the two officers entered his hotel room, the man opened fire and fatally wounded Officer Nelson. Officer Nelson's partner returned fire and killed the suspect. Officer Nelson had served with the Leadville Police Department for over three years. He had just resigned as the police night cheif and was going back to a patrol officer, working during the day.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CO-AE135652
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.
Police Officer Nelson gave the Leadville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leadville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Nelson.

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

Agency

Department Leadville Police Department

Location Leadville, CO

Platform Identity lpd.lake.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 8, 1949

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer Alvin 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 CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Leadville Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.

Leadville Police Department

of 7 officers

71.4% Felonious

CO — Statewide

235

of 360 officers

65.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious