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Incident
Sheriff John E. Nelson was shot and killed as he responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence one mile north of Lucedale.
Sheriff Nelson went to the home of a local farmer after the farmer's 18-year-old daughter told him that she ran for help when her father became violent and abusive with her mother. As Sheriff Nelson stepped out of his car, he was hit by a shotgun blast fired by the father who was hiding behind a nearby fence. The suspect fled in the sheriff's car which was found 10 miles away, wrecked, with the daughter's body inside. She had also been killed by a shotgun blast. Deputies discovered the buck-shot-riddled bodies of her mother and her two-month-old daughter.
The suspect, who was captured at his mother's home in Hurley on Christmas Day, admitted that he had killed all four. He was convicted of Sheriff Nelson's murder and executed in the electric chair on February 2nd, 1951.
Sheriff Nelson was serving his term as sheriff.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, young daughter, and parents.
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.
Sheriff Nelson served with the George County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lucedale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
George County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 45. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41.
John was 45. 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.
John was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 12.3% of these deaths in MS, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at George County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 15.2% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
George County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from George County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
