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Timothy Andrew Nielson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Timothy Andrew Nielson

Joplin Police Department — Joplin, MO
Accident
United States flag Missouri flag
End of Watch September 13, 2004
Age 26
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 152 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 20

Incident

Patrolman Timothy Nielson succumbed to injuries sustained one month earlier when a house exploded as a result of being filled with natural gas.

Patrolman Nielson and another officer had responded to 904 S. McKinley Avenue to investigate reports of a suicidal man. When the officers arrived, they located the man in the backyard, but he suddenly ran into the house. The officers followed him into the house and were inside for several minutes when the house suddenly exploded.

Patrolman Nielson sustained burns to 45% of his body and was partially trapped in the wreckage of the home. The other officer sustained burns to 30% of his body and remained in critical condition for several weeks.

Investigation revealed that, prior to the arrival of the officers, the suspect had disconnected the natural gas line from his stove and turned the valve on to its highest setting. The house filled with gas while the man was outside. After the officers chased the man into the home, one of the officers fired a taser at the man. The spark from the taser may have caused the gas to ignite, resulting in the explosion. The suspect died the day after the explosion.

Patrolman Nielson had served with the Joplin Police Department for four years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, two children, parents, 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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Nielson gave the Joplin Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joplin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nielson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Joplin Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Joplin, Jasper County, MO
Platform Identity jpd.jasper.mo.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 13, 2004
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 26
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Cause Detail Explosion

The Sacrifice · Accident

Timothy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Timothy was 26. 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. Timothy had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Joplin Police Department has 21 officers remembered here, Timothy among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Timothy Andrew Nielson

Joplin Police Department · End of Watch September 13, 2004

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W

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