Roll of Honor
Incident
Jailer William Nelson was killed after being attacked by an insane inmate in the Spokane Jail around 6:40 a.m.. The man had attacked Jailer Nelson after escaping from the "tank". It took over 15 minutes and numerous officers to subdue the inmate. The inmate was adjudged insane and committed to the state mental asylum. On June 1, 1921, he was deported back to Poland, where he had tried to immigrate from. Officer Nelson had been with the Spokane Police Department for almost 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-46A5933F- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Jailer Nelson gave the Spokane Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Jailer Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Jailer William 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Spokane Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William D. Nelson's cause is highlighted.
How William D. Nelson Compares
Offender Outcome
Deported
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William D. Nelson is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William D. Nelson was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
