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Incident
Police Officer Henry Nelson was shot and killed at approximately 3:00 pm while responding to a domestic disturbance call where three women had been stabbed by a male subject at a home on Anna Street in Sunset. One of the victims was his wife. When Officer Nelson arrived the subject shot him with a handgun he forcefully took from one of the women who later died.
The subject fled the scene and crashed his vehicle into a nearby gas station where he barricaded himself for several hours. He was apprehended after a SWAT team made entry into the gas station.
Officer Nelson was airlifted to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
On February 24, 2016, the suspect, 36, who had an extensive criminal record, was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Nelson had served with the six-person Sunset Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Nelson gave the Sunset Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sunset community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Nelson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Sunset Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 2015, 5 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 2015, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2015, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 51. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Henry had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Henry was 51. 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. Henry had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.6% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Sunset Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Sunset Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
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
2 officers from Sunset Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
