Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Joseph Nelson was shot and killed as he and other officers attempted to quell a riot at a local sawmill. One other officer was also wounded.
The man who murdered Officer Nelson was arrested, convicted, and subsequently executed by hanging.
No passage of time will ever erase you service or the sacrifice you made. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) June 26th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-48CA554F- 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
146 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Nelson served with the Jacksonville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Joseph 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Jacksonville Police Department, 25 of 33 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Nelson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Nelson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Nelson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Jacksonville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
