Prev
Russell John Nelson
Incident
Conservation Officer Russell Nelson was killed in a float plane accident while searching for illegal duck hunters 12 miles south of Aitkin, Minnesota. The pilot was also killed in the accident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Big Pine Lake. Officer Nelson was killed two days before his 28th birthday and had served with the agency for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn6q52shv8v88165d5h0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Russell. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Conservation Officer Nelson gave the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has lost 18 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Russell is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Russell is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Russell is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 1 officer at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1975, 1 officer in MN was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1975, 67 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 59th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1975, 73 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 70th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Russell was 27. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 49.5; the middle age was 43. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 9.7 years.
Russell was 27. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Russell 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. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Russell was 27. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Russell had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.1% of these deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division; April holds the most, 27.3%. Sundays: 18.2%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has 18 officers remembered here, Russell among them.
-
Charles Wetsel Oct 1, 1897
-
August Olson Mar 19, 1922
-
Joseph E. Kreager
May 26, 1922
-
Frank J. Appel
May 8, 1925
-
Joseph Twaddle
Apr 25, 1930
-
Norman D. Fairbanks
May 3, 1930
-
John Linklater
Jul 8, 1933
-
Olaf Pearson Lofquist
Jan 4, 1936
-
Dudley Philip Brady
Jul 12, 1940
-
Melvin A. Holt
Jul 12, 1940
-
Marcus E. Whipps
Jul 12, 1940
-
Charles V. Masoner
Mar 22, 1941
-
Ronald E. Shager
Feb 22, 1967
-
Gilmer Fred Keeler
Apr 21, 1968
-
Russell John Nelson
Sep 28, 1975
-
Grant Scott Coyour
Jun 11, 1999
-
Eugene Herman Wynn, Jr.
Apr 19, 2019
-
Sarah Ann Grell
May 24, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
