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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1920, 1 officer at Spokane Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1920, 6 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 30. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Spokane Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 43.5. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 17.4 years.
William was 30. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
William was 30. 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. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Fridays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Spokane Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.3% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Robert J. Rusk
Apr 22, 1886
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Ephraim John Hubbard
Sep 7, 1886
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Henry A. Stotko
Apr 4, 1905
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Alfred B. Waterbury
Oct 28, 1909
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John T. Sullivan
Jan 7, 1911
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Fred Arthur Wilson Goddard
Mar 5, 1913
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Michael F. Tynan
Jun 24, 1916
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William D. Nelson
Mar 19, 1920
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Frederick A. Germain
Jul 21, 1922
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Roy Fordyce
Nov 13, 1929
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John Henry Miller
Feb 12, 1939
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George P. Lancaster
Nov 18, 1943
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Brian Frederick Orchard
Jul 20, 1983
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Robbin B. Best
Feb 13, 1987
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Jon David Anderson
Jul 5, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
