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Incident
Patrolman James Nelson was killed instantly when his squad car struck the rear of a semitrailer. Patrolman Nelson had served with the Plymouth Police Department for 3½ years. He was survived by his wife, son and daughter. In October 2008, a street was named in his honor.
Survivors
Survivors, Indiana
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Nelson gave the Plymouth Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Plymouth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
James is the only officer of Plymouth Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 4 officers in IN were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 73 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1967, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 34th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 27. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
James was 27. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 3.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11.3% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.2%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Plymouth Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Plymouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.