Roll of Honor
Shelby Wayne Nease
Incident
Special Agent Shelby Nease was assaulted and beaten to death while investigating the theft of copper wire in Harlan County, Kentucky. During the investigation he became involved in a pursuit with the four suspects as they left a scrap dealer's business. He was able to stop the men but they overpowered him and bludgeoned him to death. His body was left in a creek off of Route 568 in Cranks, Kentucky. All four were apprehended and convicted of various charges in connection with his murder. One of the suspects was sentenced to life in prison. The other three were sentenced to lesser sentences and have all been released from prison. In August 2007 one of the suspects who had been released from prison was electrocuted and died while attempting to steal copper wire from an electric utility pole in Harlan County, Kentucky. Agent Nease had served with the CSX Transportation Railroad Police Department for 18 years and had previously served with the Kentucky State Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-74A9F01D- 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.
Special Agent Nease gave the CSX Transportation Railroad Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Jacksonville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Nease.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Shelby Wayne Nease 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 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 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Shelby Wayne Nease's cause is highlighted.
How Shelby Wayne Nease Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Shelby Wayne Nease is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Shelby Wayne Nease was killed by blunt object.