Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Nielsen was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three men who had robbed a poker game. The 25-year-old shooter and his two companions were arrested. On December 25, 1920, the shooter and two other inmates escaped from Fort Madison Penitentiary in Iowa where they were serving a life sentence for the murder of Deputy Sheriff William Maxwell of Plymouth County on November 14, 1919. The shooter was returned to the Iowa Penitentiary to finish serving out his sentence. He was charged with Officer Neilsen's murder. Officer Nielson was survived by his wife and seven children. He was buried at Trinity Lutheran Danish Cemetery in Kenmare.
Survivors
Officer Nielson was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ND-FE8CA61C- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Julius. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Nielsen served with the Kenmare Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kenmare community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Nielsen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Julius Alexander Nielsen 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 ND, 39 of 61 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Julius Alexander Nielsen's cause is highlighted.
How Julius Alexander Nielsen Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Julius Alexander Nielsen is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Julius Alexander Nielsen was killed by gun; unknown type.