Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff James Nelson was shot and killed while looking for a state mental hospital escapee who had just forced his father at gunpoint to withdraw $600 from a bank in Sidney. Sheriff Nelson and his deputy stopped the subject in Sidney. As Sheriff Nelson exited the patrol car he was shot in the head. The man then shot and wounded the deputy before fleeing. The man was shot and killed after being located by a posse several hours later.
Survivors
Sheriff Nelson was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NE-46B05065- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Nelson served with the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Sidney community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff James M. 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 NE, 97 of 151 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.2% of this state's fallen. That is 64.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 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. James M. Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How James M. Nelson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James M. Nelson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James M. Nelson was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
