Roll of Honor
Incident
On Saturday night, November 11, 1882, Tom Baker was “cutting up” when he was confronted by Deputy Sheriff John D. Nelson. The deputy had recently testified against Baker in court, and “bad blood” existed between the two men. Baker insulted Nelson, and Nelson slapped him. Bystanders separated them. The next morning at 6:00 a.m. Deputy Sheriff Nelson was standing outside a store in downtown Kerrville when Baker walked to within 20 feet and shot the deputy through the left lung with a Winchester rifle. Nelson fell and Baker shot him again in the left arm. As Baker prepared to fire a third time, Nelson said, “you have killed me, don’t shoot any more.” The sheriff of Bandera County was in town for court, and despite being out of his jurisdiction, gave chase and fired three times at Baker from a long distance. Baker’s father rode up on a horse, dismounted, and gave his son the horse to escape. Deputy Nelson gave a dying statement and expired at 10:15 a.m. Baker was eventually arrested, convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in prison June 28, 1898.
Nelson had served in the Texas Light Artillery during the Civil War. He was a private in the Frontier Battalion of the Texas Rangers from 1874-1876. He was not married and his place of burial is not known at this time.
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BO-US-TX-0E212E71- Stewardship
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Nelson served with the Kerr County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Kerrville community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John D. Nelson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff John D. 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kerr County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John D. Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How John D. Nelson Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John D. Nelson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John D. Nelson was killed by rifle; winchester.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Kerr County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
