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Incident
Sheriff David Douglass went into the wilds of Cement Hill in search of a bandit suspected in a string of robberies. After Sheriff Douglass failed to return, a search party found his body, and not too far from him, the body of the bandit he was looking for. Both had been shot to death. It remains a mystery as to exactly what happened. The two may have shot it out, killing each other, or possibly a third man, an accomplice of the bandit, killed Sheriff Douglass. Forty years later, a monument was erected on the spot which says, among other things, It is believed that Sheriff Douglass was pitted against two and that one escaped. Sheriff Douglass had served with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office for six years and was survived by his wife, child, mother, father, and siblings. He is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Nevada City, Nevada County, California.
Survivors
Sheriff Douglass had served with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office for six years and was survived by his wife, child, mother, father, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Douglass gave the Nevada County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nevada County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1896, 2 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 128th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1896, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1896, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 38. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 38. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 15.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Nevada County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Nevada County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, David among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nevada County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.