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Incident
Game Warden Nelson Onepennee was killed in an automobile accident when his patrol car left the roadway and went down a steep, rocky embankment.
The crash occurred on Highway 14, approximately one mile west of Murdock, Washington. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Warden Onepennee had served with the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department for 16 years.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Warden Onepennee gave the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Toppenish community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Onepennee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nelson is the only officer of Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department remembered here.
Nelson is one of 111 officers lost to accidents in WA, 32.6% of the 340 remembered there.
Nelson is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nelson 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 1980, 1 officer in WA was lost to accidents, the 30th heaviest of 70 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 5.
In 1980, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1980, 86 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 46th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Nelson was 39. Of the 92 lost to accidents in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46.3; the middle age was 38. Nelson had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nelson was 39. 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. Nelson had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nelson was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Nelson had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 3.6% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 15.3%. Fridays: 18%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 32.6% of all 340 deaths in WA, 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.
Where
WA
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department are honored on badge.nw.